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

Relevance

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 The sleek hard-shell suitcase is sized to hold up to five days’ worth of clothing, making long-weekend packing a breeze. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026 Hilton was quickly mocked, with online commenters pointing out that authentic Mexican street tacos are served in soft tortillas, cooked up by street vendors, and that the hard-shell varieties found in a fast-food chain do not count as the real deal. — Linh Tat, Daily News, 15 July 2026 The hard-shell design helps protect belongings while remaining comfortable to carry and maneuver. — New Atlas, 22 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for hard-shell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-shell

Adjective

His hard-line security policies have been a pillar of his campaign, and polls show these proposals are popular among Brazilians.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
This hard-line stance appeals to the majority of Israelis, who do not think that Palestinians are interested in negotiations or diplomacy.

— Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of hard-line

Adjective

The finance chiefs ended the meeting without a joint communique, underscoring persistent divisions among members over the Middle East conflict, trade imbalances, and Russia's war with Ukraine.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
When deployed in numbers, Archimedes units form a resilient defense grid, creating persistent protection for forces, facilities, and critical infrastructure.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

Cook rushed for 111 yards before his latest fumbling woes for the Bills, while Allen got more than 100 of his yards rushing on scrambles, repeatedly escaping the pocket and rendering useless the Rams’ tenacious secondary coverage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Pollock was not afraid of strong women and Lee Krasner was one of the most courageous, outspoken, and tenacious women any man might have chosen.

— Barbara Rose, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of tenacious

Adjective

Below is Jordan — bearded, stern, and wearing a leather jacket — as Det.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred near the vessel’s stern deck, resulting in limited damage, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

Detours and shortcuts in the brain The cells and synapses of the brain aren’t arranged in rigid, linear paths for each task and experience.

— Sean Mccabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
That potentially allows rigid structural elements and softer, flexible sections to be incorporated into the same object, provided the materials are compatible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is a man of few words — and initially, few feelings, or so thinks Marianne — the steadfast Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum).

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
The poem continues with more verses about Burns’s steadfast love, but beyond that, nothing really happens.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

The relentless spread of energy-hungry data centers is pushing demand higher still.

— Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
The 16-track set is a truly thrilling journey through the relentless ambition and restless psyche of a young Black woman who’s dedicated her life to navigating the notoriously tumultuous music industry.

— Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

Trump's continuing criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and praise of Putin only give Putin further confidence the United States is not serious about imposing more severe sanctions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
That role demands reliable equipment capable of transmitting strategic instructions during severe national security crises.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of severe

Browse Nearby Words

hardscrabble

hard-shell

hardship

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hard-shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-shell. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hard-shell

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes