1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the test questions were rated for hardness, a rating of five indicating the most difficult
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the aunt's hardness gradually crumbled under the influence of the little orphan's endearing ways
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardness
For all its ugliness, hardness is seductive, as is a toxic, dominating man’s pull.
—
Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Water hardness is created by minerals such as calcium carbonate.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 15 July 2024
Some small clinical trials have shown biotin supplements may help strengthen brittle nails by improving their firmness, thickness and hardness.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
These types of steel may have differing levels of carbon content, or different levels of hardness.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hardness 
Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Water hardness is created by minerals such as calcium carbonate.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 15 July 2024
Some small clinical trials have shown biotin supplements may help strengthen brittle nails by improving their firmness, thickness and hardness.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
These types of steel may have differing levels of carbon content, or different levels of hardness.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
During her detention, Sala endured significant hardships.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Despite suffering from physical and emotional hardship, Kahlo became a feminist icon, known for her unapologetic approach to body image and her vivid use of color.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Autism is a spectrum, Alpert noted, which means symptoms can vary significantly in type and severity.—
Melissa Rudy,
Fox News,
28 Jan. 2025
-
But not every director of Tarantino's pedigree agrees with his diagnosis of the industry's ills or, at least, his sense of its severity.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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However, failure to include pharmaceutical pricing reforms that involve PBMs in the end-of-year continuing resolution, despite bipartisan support, may be a sign of political fracturing among lawmakers in 2025 and the difficulties of breaking the impasse.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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Milk, wheat, and soy, the three undeclared allergens in the barbecue sauce, can lead to severe or life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis, which involves difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hardness
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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