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.

India shares a long and porous border with Bangladesh, where migration has historically been driven by economic hardship and longstanding family links.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

No machine has free will, conscience, spiritual depth, the capacity for love, or the ability to grow through hardship, sacrifice and contemplation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

"After the end of the invasion, we inherited poverty, hardship, unemployment and other problems."

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Loans and hardship withdrawals are also rising as more workers tap retirement savings to cover emergencies.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

Pa was raised in the country and was accustomed to hardship.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Vocabulary lists containing hardship

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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017

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