as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a hard-bitten Apache chief who could endure the scorching heat of the Arizona desert
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Recent Examples of hard-bitten
Her hard-bitten, cynical persona provides a nice juxtaposition to how maudlin so much commentary about motherhood can be.
—
Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
But the sentiments are the razors in the apples: hard-bitten, painful, wise from disappointment, and braced for the next crisis.
—Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
Alaska has devolved into a colony of big oil, and its politics have become so closed, hard-bitten, and strident.
—Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2015
Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
But the sentiments are the razors in the apples: hard-bitten, painful, wise from disappointment, and braced for the next crisis.
—Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
Alaska has devolved into a colony of big oil, and its politics have become so closed, hard-bitten, and strident.
—Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-bitten
Adjective
-
The 28-meter (92-foot) tall maypole was lifted horizontally on wooden carts and pulled into the village by two sturdy horses from the local beer brewery.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
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These knives also feature a sturdy spine for extra heft and durability.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to being hardy and low-maintenance, spicebush is a beautiful addition to landscapes.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Lavender is a hardy perennial that thrives in full sun with minimal watering.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Set one clear boundary today and confirm expectations so your commitments stay strong and manageable.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fjord country is a rugged aquatic realm where, satisfyingly, ferries are essential to getting around.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Natural beauty also shines along the rugged coastline and in the sparkling turquoise waters.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
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Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With Hathaway as a hardened journalist who haplessly lands herself into the center of a conflict in El Salvador, the film is somewhat at sea, allowing itself and the audience to get swept away by an unmoored plot.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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That step would signal a change in how the military plans to counter hardened and time-sensitive targets in the region.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Climbing hydrangeas are vigorous growers and sometimes require a heavier hand to keep them trained to their trellis.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
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Pruning the plants is also essential to keep the vigorous growth under control.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Coleman certainly has the right frame to be stout in pass protection.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The short and stout table lamp is positively good enough to eat.—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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