Definitions

hardship

[hahrd-ship] / ˈhɑrd ʃɪp /

NOUN

personal burden

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adversity calamity catastrophe danger difficulty disaster discomfort fatigue grief hazard injury misery misfortune oppression peril persecution sorrow suffering torment trouble worry

STRONG

accident affliction asperity austerity case curse destitution distress drudgery grievance labor mischance need privation rigor toil travail trial tribulation vicissitude want

WEAK

Herculean task hard knocks rainy day rotten luck tough break tough luck uphill battle

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid assistance benefit blessing boon calmness cheer comfort contentment delight ease favor fortune good fortune good luck happiness health help joy miracle peace pleasure prosperity relief safety security success wonder

STRONG

compliment entertainment fun mildness plenty praise

WEAK

gain good profit

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.

Microfinance aimed to foster prosperity but stoked hardship for those borrowers who took on debt they couldn’t afford.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Majid, a 35-year-old pharmacist in Tehran, said he was "deeply worried" by the attacks and their knock-on effects on daily life for Iranians already facing economic hardship.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

"It was a great escape from hardship at the time, so it has always been something special to me."

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

“As Stanton residents call me, I hear the hardship and a lack of adequate resources,” Torres read from a prepared text.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

My parents never wavered on their promise to come to Brazil, but they knew it would be a financial hardship for the rest of my siblings.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Vocabulary lists containing hardship

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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017

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