hard-hitting

adjective

hard-hit·​ting ˈhärd-ˈhi-tiŋ How to pronounce hard-hitting (audio)
: strikingly effective in force or result
a hard-hitting exposé
plain hard-hitting English

Examples of hard-hitting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thornton, a hard-hitting defensive back from Broward County, transferred to the University of Miami this offseason after spending his first two seasons of college football at Boston College. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026 Defensively, Jacksonville State transfer lineman Emmanuel Oyebadejo is hard to miss at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds, while hard-hitting Baylor transfer defensive back DJ Coleman will factor on the back end or in the slot. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 The match was fast-paced and featured hard-hitting action as all competitors tried to make quick work of each other. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026 North Andover has pop in the lineup behind four-year star center fielder Lauren Lynch, fellow senior outfielder Lily Fabiano and hard-hitting first baseman Riley Davis. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 In the third part of the interview published Thursday, Cooke was asked a few hard-hitting questions about the time of Batula and Wilson’s relationship, which has been speculated about online. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026 Accompanying the hard-hitting track about a type of individual lost to yesteryear is a touching music video starring none other than Gary Sinise of Apollo 13 and Forrest Gump fame. Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 Co-produced by Javier Sampedro, Yoyi Lagarza and Drumglass, the song is rooted in an alternative pop sound laced with an edgy reparto melody that’s backed by the genre’s distinct hard-hitting clave instrumentation. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026 Stanton, meanwhile, is 4-for-8 so far this season following a hard-hitting spring. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-hitting was in 1831

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard-hitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-hitting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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