Standard Lemma guide

hard-pressed

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Barely able; having difficulty doing something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, usually

Examples

  • Although they are still available, I think we would be hard-pressed to find one on short notice.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hard pushed, hard put

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Experiencing financial difficulty or difficulty in surviving.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The earthquake left the residents hard-pressed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in dire straits

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • distressed companies need loans and technical advice
  • financially hard-pressed Mexican hotels are lowering their prices
  • we were hard put to meet the mortgage payment
  • found themselves in a bad way financially

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: distressed, hard put, in a bad way(p)

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: vaikea — barely able
  • Polish: przyparty do muru — barely able
  • Finnish: vaikeudet — in financial or survival difficulty
  • Polish: pod presją — in financial or survival difficulty