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Definition of hardship

hardship

/ˈhɑːrd.ʃɪp/
hard · ship
Plural:hardships
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hardship Lexical Profile

hardship Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A condition or circumstance that causes severe difficulty, deprivation, or suffering.

Example

"Many families faced severe financial hardship during the prolonged economic downturn."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for hardship

• Nearby Words

hardscaping
hardscrabble
hardshell
hardship
hardtop
hardware
hardwire

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English around the early 13th century as 'hardshipe', combining the Old English adjective 'heard' (severe, difficult to endure) with the state-denoting suffix '-ship'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hardship. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hardship
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