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

He said stories of members missing mortgage payments and falling into hardship were "distressing and entirely unacceptable".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Farhad, a 35-year-old chef, also said life was becoming "increasingly difficult", noting economic hardship had set in even before the war.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 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

For the Imuget ceremony, each new warrior selects another warrior who he feels will be a trusted friend forever, one he can confide in during times of hardship and times of happiness.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola

Vocabulary lists containing hardship

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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017

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