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hard hat noun 1 : a protective hat worn esp. by construction workers

2 : a construction worker

hard·head·ed adjective 1 : unreasonably or perversely unyielding : STUBBORN, WILLFUL

2 : concerned with or involving practical considerations

— hard·head·ed·ly adverb

Synonyms

[1] dogged, headstrong, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, stubborn, unyielding, willful—more at OBSTINATE

[2] astute, canny, knowing, sharp, shrewd, smart—more at SHREWD

[2] down-to-earth, earthy, matter-of-fact, practical, pragmatic, realistic

hard·head·ed·ness noun : the quality or state of being hardheaded

Synonyms

mulishness, obduracy, obstinacy, peevishness, pertinacity, self-will, stubbornness, tenacity—more at OBSTINACY

hard–heart·ed adjective : PITILESS, CRUEL

— hard–heart·ed·ly adverb

— hard–heart·ed·ness noun

har·di·hood noun 1 : resolute courage and fortitude

2 : active bodily or mental strength or force : VIGOR

Synonyms

[1] bravery, courage, daring, fearlessness, gallantry, guts, heart, heroism, nerve, stoutness, valor—more at COURAGE

[2] dash, drive, energy, ginger, go, life, pep, sap, snap, vigor, vim, vitality, zing, zip—more at VIGOR

hard–line adjective : advocating or involving a rigidly uncompromising course of action

— hard–lin·er noun

hard–luck adjective : marked by or relating to bad luck <~ losing teams>

hard·ly adverb 1 : with force

2 a : in a severe manner : HARSHLY

b : with great or excessive grief or resentment

3 : with difficulty : by hard work or struggle

4 : only just : BARELY

5 : certainly not

Synonyms

[2a] hard, harshly, ill, oppressively, roughly, severely, sternly, stiffly; also callously, inhumanly, mercilessly, pitilessly, ruthlessly, uncharitably, unfeelingly, unmercifully, tyrannically; abusively, brutally, savagely, viciously; aggressively, decidedly, determinedly, firmly, grimly, gruffly, resolutely, strongly, toughly

Antonyms

gently, leniently, lightly, mildly, softly

[3] determinedly, diligently, hard, laboriously, mightily, slavishly, strenuously, tirelessly—more at HARD

[4] barely, just, marginally, scarcely, slightly—more at JUST

[5] no, none, scarcely; also near, never, nothing, nowhere, nowise

Antonyms

absolutely, certainly, completely, definitely, positively, surely

hard·ness noun 1 : the quality or state of being hard

2 : a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable

Synonyms

[1] harshness, inflexibility, rigidity, severity, sternness, strictness—more at SEVERITY

[2] adversity, asperity, difficulty, hardship, rigor—more at DIFFICULTY

hard–nosed adjective : TOUGH, UNCOMPROMISING; also : HARDHEADED 2

hard palate noun : the bony anterior part of the palate forming the roof of the mouth

hard·pan noun : a compact layer in soil that is impenetrable by roots

hard–pressed adjective : HARD PUT; especially : being under financial strain

hard put adjective 1 : barely able

2 : faced with difficulty or perplexity

hard rock noun : rock music marked by a heavy beat, high amplification, and usu. frenzied performances

hard–shell adjective : HIDEBOUND, UNCOMPROMISING

hard·ship noun 1 : SUFFERING, PRIVATION

2 : something that causes suffering or privation

Synonyms

adversity, asperity, difficulty, hardness, rigor—more at DIFFICULTY

hard·tack noun : a saltless hard biscuit, bread, or cracker

hard·top noun : an automobile having a permanent rigid top

hard·ware noun 1 : ware (as cutlery or tools) made of metal

2 : the physical components (as electronic devices) of a vehicle (as a spacecraft) or an apparatus (as a computer)

hard·wired adjective 1 : connected or incorporated by or as if by permanent electrical connections

2 : genetically or innately determined or predisposed <~ reactions>

hard·wood noun : the wood of a broad-leaved usu. deciduous tree as distinguished from that of a conifer; also : such a tree

— hardwood