HARD-SHELL Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-shell

adjective

variants or hard-shelled

Definition of hard-shell

as in hard-line

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hard-shell Modern restaurant menus, with the familiar enchiladas and tamales and hard-shell tacos, can resemble Tex-Mex, but never say that to a New Mexican local. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 Since many bags share the same characteristics (think a black, medium-sized, hard-shell suitcase, for example), listing any unique attributes will help. — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026 Since the seeds are hard-shelled, germination often requires scarification, that is, weakening of the seeds’ coats by an exterior force in order to encourage water absorption. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026 The campaign provides a chance to dip cones for $1 charge in hard-shell coating flavors, such as chocolate, cherry, or butterscotch. — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-shell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-shell

Adjective

This has left many wondering how much of this hard-line approach might change if Gadi Eisenkot, the veteran military official who is running ahead of Netanyahu in the polls, manages to defeat him.

— Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
That post went to Hossein Taeb, a hard-line cleric and longtime intelligence chief who led one of the first major crackdowns on protests, in 2009.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard-line

Adjective

In his inaugural Jackson Hole speech as chairman, Warsh warned that persistent inflation may necessitate further monetary tightening.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Mehta increased his price target on FANG stock to $220 from $212 and reiterated a buy rating, citing the company's capital-efficient volume growth as oil prices remain high amid persistent supply disruption in the Middle East.

— TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

Irving was born in New York City on April 3, 1783, the son of a stern Scottish immigrant who ran a tidy import business selling wine, sugar, and hardware.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Former President Joe Biden turned to then-CIA Director William Burns to relay stern warnings to Russia before and after President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

— Matthew Mulligan, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

The fingers are also built from a combination of rigid and soft materials.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Additionally, rigid systems penalize career reinvention or past departures, and fail to create pathways for skilled former employees to return.

— Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

But the same steadfast pursuit that’s placed the attorney at the center of nearly every call for racial justice in the past decade has earned Crump more than a few detractors.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
In spite of the steadfast testimony of those who went over the antlers as meticulously as anyone could, there are still many detractors.

— Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

The death toll from severe flooding along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday has climbed to 762 in Nepal, local police said, as rescue crews scour devastated neighborhoods for survivors.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
The bleeding was severe, her blood pressure plummeted, her breathing and heart function stopped.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of severe

Browse Nearby Words

hardscrabble

hard-shell

hardship

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Style

“Hard-shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-shell. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hard-shell

adjective

Example Sentences

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