hardness
noun
hard·ness ˈhärd-nəs 
1
: the quality or state of being hard
2
a
: the cohesion of the particles on the surface of a mineral as determined by its capacity to scratch another or be itself scratched compare mohs' scale
b
: resistance of metal to indentation under a static load or to scratching
Synonyms
- adversity
- asperity
- difficulty
- hardship
- rigor
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the hardness of a diamond The wood's hardness makes it suitable for carving.
Recent Examples on the Web This hardness could make the rare space diamond a valuable resource for industrial applications if scientists can find a way to use the new method of production to create minerals that are big enough. 
Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 The hardness of the porphyric soils that underlay Cantina Terlan vines produced steep terraces where growers toil by hand. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 The hardness of solid wood is measured according to the Janka scale, which indicates how well a species of wood can resist dings. Arricca Elin Sansone, House Beautiful, 26 July 2022 Fundamentally, cryptographers wonder: Is there enough hardness in the universe to make cryptography possible? Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2022 The trail into the cave, which in the past was snowshoe or skis only, is now packed into concrete-like hardness. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2022 This is where Emily reveals herself to possess an untapped reservoir of badassery — compressed into diamond-hardness by the weight of life’s unfairness. Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2022 According to Acer, the chassis is made from 6053 aluminum alloy with a 75 HV hardness and anodization to fight degradation (its gold accents are double-anodized). Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 7 July 2022 Brazilian walnut has an extremely high Janka score of 3,680, popular white oak has an average hardness of 1,360 and southern yellow pine is relatively soft with a Janka score of 870. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 27 June 2022 See More
Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 The hardness of the porphyric soils that underlay Cantina Terlan vines produced steep terraces where growers toil by hand. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 The hardness of solid wood is measured according to the Janka scale, which indicates how well a species of wood can resist dings. Arricca Elin Sansone, House Beautiful, 26 July 2022 Fundamentally, cryptographers wonder: Is there enough hardness in the universe to make cryptography possible? Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2022 The trail into the cave, which in the past was snowshoe or skis only, is now packed into concrete-like hardness. John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2022 This is where Emily reveals herself to possess an untapped reservoir of badassery — compressed into diamond-hardness by the weight of life’s unfairness. Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2022 According to Acer, the chassis is made from 6053 aluminum alloy with a 75 HV hardness and anodization to fight degradation (its gold accents are double-anodized). Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 7 July 2022 Brazilian walnut has an extremely high Janka score of 3,680, popular white oak has an average hardness of 1,360 and southern yellow pine is relatively soft with a Janka score of 870. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 27 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing hardness
hardness
noun
1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal the test questions were rated for hardness, a rating of five indicating the most difficult Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hardship
- difficulty
- asperity
- rigor
- obstacle
- adversity
- discomfort
- hurdle
- trial
- inconvenience
- inhibition
- obstruction
- nuisance
- rub
- interference
- misfortune
- tribulation
- hindrance
- impediment
- handicap
- affliction
- let
- encumbrance
- tragedy
- embarrassment
- knock
- crimp
- chain
- clog
- deterrent
- mishap
- shackle
- trammel
- block
- snag
- fetter
- stop
- catch
- hump
- hitch
- manacle
- pons asinorum
- bar
- check
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- advantage
- opportunity
- break
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism) the aunt's hardness gradually crumbled under the influence of the little orphan's endearing ways Synonyms & Similar Words
- severity
- rigidity
- rigidness
- strictness
- sternness
- inflexibility
- harshness
- stringency
- exactingness
- rigorousness
- callousness
- obduracy
- implacability
- rigor
- pitilessness
- firmness
- gruffness
- hard-heartedness
- steadfastness
- obdurateness
- dourness
- stubbornness
- obstinacy
- resolve
- austereness
- monasticism
- determination
- asceticism
- austerity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gentleness
- flexibility
- softness
- tolerance
- tenderness
- patience
- kindness
- responsiveness
- mildness
- laxness
- willingness
- indulgence
- forbearance
- compliance
- lenience
- pliability
- pliancy