hard-hit

adjective

ˈhärd-ˌhit How to pronounce hard-hit (audio)
: profoundly stricken : affected in an especially negative way
one of the industries particularly hard-hit during the downturn

Examples of hard-hit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Airline stocks, which have been hard-hit by fuel shortages, jumped on Wednesday. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026 Carabobo, one of the regions closest to one of the epicenters, also appears to be hard-hit. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 Some states are particularly hard-hit. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025 Matlacha has been hard-hit by hurricanes, but many businesses and restaurants have reopened in this slice of Old Florida. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-hit

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-hit was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

hard/heavy going
hard-hit
hard-hitting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard-hit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-hit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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