as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
they will be hard-pressed to come up with any facts that actually support their argument
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Recent Examples of hard-pressed
In fact, from behind, people would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between an Oasis-class ship from World America with both featuring a multi-deck, twisting dry slide as a centerpiece of an open-air deck.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Pittsburgh will be hard-pressed to duplicate last year’s 55-52 mark at the All-Star break, though two months remain on the schedule before the July 15 game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
However, tariffs mean higher prices, so the central bank would be hard-pressed to lower interest rates.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Those funds augment the underpayment that care providers receive for Medicaid services, and without them, health systems could be hard-pressed to continue funding maternity care at their current rates.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Pittsburgh will be hard-pressed to duplicate last year’s 55-52 mark at the All-Star break, though two months remain on the schedule before the July 15 game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
However, tariffs mean higher prices, so the central bank would be hard-pressed to lower interest rates.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Those funds augment the underpayment that care providers receive for Medicaid services, and without them, health systems could be hard-pressed to continue funding maternity care at their current rates.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
-
But 100 days into the second Trump administration, those leaders are perplexed and concerned.—
Marc Lynch,
Foreign Affairs,
12 May 2025
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Unlike last week — or most others this season, come to think of it — no one totally nails it, nor really expects to (… except for Massimo, who’s clearly perplexed when his mussel-and-clam pie ends up in the safe middle).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Delap’s cannon shoulders struck fear into a baffled division, like a medieval army who looked across the battlefield and realised that the opposing forces had technology far beyond theirs.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Because, as the bewildered Jackson says in response, Who hates guitars?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
21 May 2025
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Also speaking to camera, the various members of the Girard family waver between resentment and bewildered confusion.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
My daughter was surprised, maybe a little embarrassed.—
Stephanie H. Murray,
The Atlantic,
29 May 2025
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The Parks and Rec alum leaped out of her seat and began cheering for Meyers with the now-standing audience while the thoroughly embarrassed host quietly covered his face with his hands.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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