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Definitions

hard time

NOUN
bad luck
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adversity hardship misfortune setback tragedy
WEAK
bad break blow devil's own luck hard cheese hard luck ill luck mischance raw deal reverse rotten luck tough break tough luck
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantage blessing boon favor success
NOUN
bad time
Synonyms
WEAK
going-over grief grilling third degree torture
NOUN
distress
Synonyms
STRONG
bummer calamity catastrophe crunch destitution difficulty disaster downer drag exigency indigence jam misfortune need pickle pinch poverty privation rigor scrape straits throe trial trouble vicissitude want
WEAK
bad luck can of worms hard knocks holy mess hot water rotten luck ticklish spot tough break tough luck unholy mess
Antonyms
STRONG
abundance advantage benefit blessing boon comfort contentment ease fortune good fortune good luck happiness luxury miracle peace pleasure plenty success wealth wonder
WEAK
health
NOUN
rebuff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rebuke rejection reprimand snub
STRONG
check cut defeat denial discouragement insult nix opposition refusal repulse slight turndown
WEAK
brush-off cold shoulder go-by kick in the teeth nothing doing thumbs-down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
praise
STRONG
approval compliment
WEAK
inclusion welcome
NOUN
rebuke
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonition censure condemnation disapproval punishment rebuff reproach snub
STRONG
admonishment affliction berating blame castigation chiding comeuppance correction earful expostulation going-over lecture lesson objurgation ostracism put down rap rating refusal remonstrance reprehension reproof reproval repulse row scolding tongue-lashing upbraiding
WEAK
bawling-out chewing-out dressing-down kick in the teeth slap in the face talking-to telling-off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval encouragement endorsement exoneration praise sanction
STRONG
commendation flattery
WEAK
compliment
NOUN
rejection
Synonyms
STRONGEST
elimination exclusion repudiation veto
STRONG
bounce brush-off dismissal nix pass rebuff renunciation turndown
WEAK
cold shoulder disallowance kick in teeth no dice no-go nothing doing slap in the face thumbs-down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allowance ratification
STRONG
welcome
WEAK
acceptance approval choice sanction
NOUN
reprimand
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonition censure rebuke
STRONG
admonishment blame castigation chiding grooming lecture ragging rap reprehension reproof scolding tongue-lashing
WEAK
bawling-out calling down dressing-down piece of one's mind slap on wrist talking-to telling-off what for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise
STRONG
commendation
WEAK
forgiveness reward
NOUN
trial
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ordeal
STRONG
adversity affliction albatross anguish annoyance bane blow bother burden calvary care complication crucible difficulty distress drag grief hardship hassle heartbreak inconvenience irritation load misery misfortune nightmare nuisance pain pest plague rigor sorrow suffering thorn tribulation unhappiness vexation vicissitude visitation woe wretchedness
WEAK
cross to bear pain in the neck severe test trying time
Antonyms
STRONG
advantage aid benefit blessing comfort convenience delight favor felicity fortune good fortune good luck help joy pleasure relief
NOUN
tribulation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adversity grief heartache misery misfortune woe
STRONG
affliction albatross blow bummer burden care crucible curse difficulty distress downer drag headache oppression ordeal persecution reverse sorrow suffering trial trouble vexation visitation worry wretchedness
WEAK
bad luck bad thing cross to bear double whammy hard knock rainy day wronging
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delight good luck happiness joy
STRONG
advantage aid calmness comfort contentment good fortune health help peace pleasure relief
WEAK
calm
ADJECTIVE
unpleasant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disagreeable distasteful nasty obnoxious sour troublesome undesirable unpalatable
WEAK
abhorrent bad news bad scene displeasing fierce grody gross hard-time icky irksome lousy objectionable poisonous repulsive rotten unacceptable unattractive uncool unhappy unlikable unlovely yucky
Antonyms
STRONGEST
acceptable agreeable delicious friendly good happy helpful kind nice palatable pleasant pleasing tasty
WEAK
delightful great wonderful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If a person has a hard time cancelling a subscription, they form a negative association with the process, not a positive mentality about the prospect of saving money.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Customers had a hard time getting to showrooms in January because of frozen conditions on the roads.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Do you have regrets about people you’ve called out in songs or given a bit of a hard time to?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I know I had a hard time looking away from that Mets-Pirates game.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

That night I felt listless and had a hard time sleeping.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez