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
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Potassium helps produce sturdy plants and increases plants’ resistance to stress but overapplication of potassium (and too much of any nutrient) can cause other necessary nutrients to become unavailable to the plant.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
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The containers are 100 percent leakproof, dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe, and crafted from sturdy plastic that’s stain-resistant and lightweight.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Given that avocado trees are hardy only in USDA Zones 9 to 11, many of us grow them in containers and bring them indoors for the winter.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2025
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This tender perennial is hardy in zones 9 and up, and treated as an annual elsewhere.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
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According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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From the rugged Cliffs of Moher to the lively streets of Dublin, the country offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Bridge on the River Kwai has a thorny message about loyalty and duty that’s wrapped in a rugged, articulate adventure film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This all adds up to a tough investment outlook for any business looking at Ukraine’s mineral supply.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Ties during Trump’s first term One of the hallmarks of the first Trump Administration was a tougher stance towards China compared to his predecessors, through tit-for-tat tariffs and an Indo-Pacific strategy that aimed to curb Beijing’s growing influence in the Western Pacific.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Timing for Fertilizing Roses Healthy repeat-blooming roses require nearly year-round feeding from early spring to fall to remain vigorous and resist diseases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2025
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All have attractive foliage and most are vigorous spreaders, so keep that in mind when selecting a planting site.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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San Diego State basketball has made a name for itself in recent years off the back of a stout defense.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Feb. 2025
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But on Saturday, the Heat was far more stout, albeit against a 14-32 Nets team lacking in firepower, even more so without Cam Johnson, who’s averaging 19.4 points per game.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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