hardhanded

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce hardhanded (audio)
Definition of hardhandednext
as in tough
difficult to endure the hardhanded rule of a tyrannical regime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardhanded
  1. tough
  2. harsh
  3. hard
  4. rough
  5. oppressive
  6. trying
  7. brutal
  8. severe
Adjective
  • Space-grade electronics will cost more, and the ball’s shell—made from a material tough enough to roll over steel shards and withstand minus 184 °C temperatures—has never been evaluated in lunar extremes.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Democratic leaders face tough decisions on where to spend limited party resources to win the Senate majority.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Michael Mankins and Matthew Crupi want value maximization back as the objective, with stakeholder commitments as hard or soft constraints.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Hrgović landed one, two, three hard right hands late in the round.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hard
Adjective
  • Convincing a parent to get hearing aids can be a rough experience.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The journey back to the river camp was an arduous three-mile hike over rough terrain.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of rough
Adjective
  • Among those waiting to meet the president was Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist who considered the government oppressive.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • People seem to be craving the scent of something cooling and quenching, an olfactive promise that less oppressive weather lies ahead.
    — April Long, Allure, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • Either way, a spot in the round of 32 would be a just reward for a team that is unbeaten two games into what has been an extremely trying tournament off the field.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • More than half of the search-and-rescue workers who show up for the most trying missions are BUSARs.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of trying
Adjective
  • Within a span of four months in Fort Worth last year, Watkins and Snellings were killed in similarly brutal attacks in the Near Southside and Historic Southside sections of the city.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Even so, when investor confidence broke in 1997, the adjustment was swift and brutal.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutal
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
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.

Browse Nearby Words

hard goods
hardhanded
hardhandedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hardhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardhanded. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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