What does hardship mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈhɑːrdˌʃɪp/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A situation in which someone is experiencing great difficulty or suffering, often due to circumstances beyond their control.

Examples

• The family faced hardship when the father lost his job.
• The country struggled with hardship during the economic crisis.

Synonyms

• Difficulty
• Adversity
• Tribulation

Antonyms

• Ease
• Prosperity
• Wealth

Additional Information

Hardship can take many forms, including financial struggles, physical or mental disabilities, or emotional trauma. It can also be a temporary or long-term experience. In many cases, people who face hardship require support and resources to overcome their challenges.

Hardship can also be a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. It can teach individuals resilience, perseverance, and coping skills, which can be beneficial in the long run.

In some cases, hardship can be a collective experience, affecting entire communities or societies. In such scenarios, it requires a collective effort to address the underlying causes and provide support to those affected.

Etymology

The word “hardship” originated in the 14th century from the Old English words “hard” and “ship”, meaning “hard circumstances” or “difficulties”. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings and connotations.

Usage Notes

Hardship is often used to describe a situation that is difficult to endure, but it can also be used to describe a challenging experience that has a positive outcome. For example, “I went through hardship during my illness, but it taught me to appreciate life more.”

Cultural References

Hardship is a common theme in literature, music, and art, often used to convey themes of struggle, resilience, and hope. Examples include novels like “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, which depict characters facing hardship during times of social and economic turmoil.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• In hardship’s grasp
• Face hardship head-on
• Overcome hardship

Related Words or Phrases

• Adversity
• Trial
• Tribulation
• Calamity

Collocations

• Face hardship
• Experience hardship
• Overcome hardship
• Suffer hardship

Frequency of Use

Hardship is a relatively common word in modern language, used in a variety of contexts to describe challenging situations or experiences.

Common Misspellings

• Hardshippe
• Hardshipe
• Hardshyp