hard time
noun
US
: a long or difficult prison sentence
He could be facing hard time for his crimes.
Examples of hard time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Your father may give him a hard time at first.
—
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Stadiums are notorious for their lack of multiplier impact, which is one reason these days why sports team owners, such as the McCaskey family that controls the Bears, have such a hard time hoodwinking governments into giving them direct subsidies to build their stadiums.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Too many people in our community are having a hard time finding safe and affordable homes.
—Norma Contreras, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Democrat newcomer Matthew Adams, a Woodbridge teacher, might have a hard time getting attention in a district that is roughly 33% Democratic and 41% Republican, with 18% of people registering with no party preference.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard time
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Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Stadiums are notorious for their lack of multiplier impact, which is one reason these days why sports team owners, such as the McCaskey family that controls the Bears, have such a hard time hoodwinking governments into giving them direct subsidies to build their stadiums.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Too many people in our community are having a hard time finding safe and affordable homes.
—Norma Contreras, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Democrat newcomer Matthew Adams, a Woodbridge teacher, might have a hard time getting attention in a district that is roughly 33% Democratic and 41% Republican, with 18% of people registering with no party preference.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard time
Cite this Entry
“Hard time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20time. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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