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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardness
The severity of water spots varies depending on your local water hardness.
—
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
The hardness of seats, even those that recline flat into a bed, is a common pain point for many customers on long-haul flights.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Routine tests are ran every few hours to check water quality through pH, chlorine, phosphate, fluoride, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, turbidity and the Langelier Saturation Index, which determines water balance.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
Also add calcium chloride if the water's calcium level (hardness) is too low.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
The hardness of seats, even those that recline flat into a bed, is a common pain point for many customers on long-haul flights.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Routine tests are ran every few hours to check water quality through pH, chlorine, phosphate, fluoride, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, turbidity and the Langelier Saturation Index, which determines water balance.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
Also add calcium chloride if the water's calcium level (hardness) is too low.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
Deferment for financial hardship would also end, though borrowers in default can now rehabilitate their loans twice instead of once.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
School board Chairperson Jeanne Berger said in a meeting that Stacy's raise was approved in January 2020, before the pandemic contributed to the district's financial hardships.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
While relapse of multiple myeloma is regarded as inevitable, the timing and severity vary widely.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
-
But in the meantime, relatives could only guess the severity of the injury by observing the facial expressions of Nuggets personnel.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Some players have been mixed on the game's difficulty – or lack thereof – and PC optimization could certainly be better, but nobody has any complaints about the gameplay itself.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
Amid all the difficulties the country faces, the losses in space science might seem trivial.—
Adam Frank,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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