hard-pressed

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.

In many stretches, you’d be hard-pressed to stroll along the banks of the San Gabriel or Los Angeles rivers without meeting abandoned water bottles, candy wrappers, golf balls, sad-looking teddy bears, even shopping carts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

"When you look at the biggest tournaments, you'd be hard-pressed to find another that's bigger than this one, especially for myself."

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

I’m hard-pressed to think of any movie I’d watch four times in a month if I didn’t genuinely admire it on some level.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

It is but a momentary respite for the hard-pressed island.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

I don’t know a thing about cars and am hard-pressed to change a tire.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt