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Hardship Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hardship

[ˈhɑːrdʃɪp ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in life

Hardship refers to severe suffering or privation, especially financial difficulties or adversity. It can also encompass various challenges or difficult situations that test a person's endurance.

Synonyms

adversity, difficulty, misfortune, struggle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hardship

Used to describe serious suffering or a severe lack of necessities.

  • Many families experienced financial hardship during the economic recession
difficulty

Refers to something that is hard to do, understand, or deal with, often used for less severe challenges.

  • He had difficulty understanding the new software at first
adversity

Typically refers to a state of serious or continued difficulty, often encompassing a broader range of challenges.

  • She showed great resilience in the face of adversity when she lost her job and her home
misfortune

Describes a stroke of bad luck or an unfavorable event, often used in a more specific context.

  • It was pure misfortune that their car broke down in the middle of nowhere
struggle

Implies continuous effort and conflict against obstacles, can be both physical and emotional.

  • Her struggle with depression lasted for many years, but she eventually found help

Examples of usage

  • Despite facing numerous hardships in her life, she remained resilient.
  • The family experienced great hardship after losing their home in a fire.
  • Many people around the world endure extreme hardships on a daily basis.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

In legal terms, hardship can refer to circumstances that make it difficult for someone to comply with a law or a contract. It may involve undue or extreme difficulty or oppression.

Synonyms

challenge, difficulty, impediment, obstacle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hardship

This word is often used to describe severe suffering or trials, especially those that are prolonged and cause significant distress. It can have a negative connotation and is usually related to financial, physical, or emotional struggles.

  • The family faced great hardships during the war.
  • He endured many hardships to get where he is today.
difficulty

This word is used when talking about a situation that is hard to deal with or understand. It has a neutral connotation and can apply to many different contexts, from minor inconveniences to serious problems.

  • She had difficulty understanding the instructions.
  • The project faced several difficulties along the way.
obstacle

This word is best used when referring to a tangible or metaphorical barrier that must be overcome. It generally has a neutral tone and suggests the need for effort or strategy to bypass or remove it.

  • The biggest obstacle in their path was the large boulder.
  • Learning a new language can be an obstacle for many people.
impediment

This word is commonly used to describe something that obstructs or hinders progress. It has a more formal tone and is often used in legal, medical, or academic contexts.

  • His speech impediment made it difficult for him to communicate.
  • The lack of funding is a serious impediment to the project.
challenge

This word refers to a task or situation that requires effort and determination to overcome. It often has a neutral or even positive connotation, implying the potential for growth and achievement.

  • Starting a new business can be a big challenge.
  • She loves taking on new challenges at work.

Examples of usage

  • The court considered the economic hardship faced by the defendant in granting leniency.
  • The company cited financial hardship as the reason for breaching the contract.
  • Individuals may seek exemptions from certain regulations due to hardship.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'hardship'

The word 'hardship' originated from the combination of 'hard' and 'ship,' with 'hard' referring to something difficult and 'ship' suggesting a state or condition. The term has been used since the 13th century to describe conditions of difficulty or adversity.

See also: hard, hardball, harden, hardening, harder, hardliner, hardly, hardness, hardships, hardware, hardy.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,410 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.