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Synonyms

die-hard

American  
[dahy-hahrd] / ˈdaɪˌhɑrd /
Or diehard

noun

  1. a person who vigorously maintains or defends a seemingly hopeless position, outdated attitude, lost cause, or the like.

adjective

  1. resisting vigorously and stubbornly to the last; stubborn.

die-hard British  

noun

  1. a person who resists change or who holds onto an untenable position or outdated attitude

  2. (modifier) obstinately resistant to change

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
die hard Idioms  

  1. Take a long time to cease to exist or be dropped from consideration. For example, Old prejudices die hard, or The more radical parts of this proposal will die hard. This idiom alludes to struggling against physical death. [Late 1700s]

Other Word Forms

  • die-hardism noun

Etymology

Origin of die-hard

First recorded in 1835–45; noun, adj. use of verb phrase die hard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hockey is a great pick if you want something fast-paced and entertaining, even if you’re not a die-hard fan.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

“For the Baja Blast die-hard, infused with caffeine and a refreshing boost of citrus,” Taco Bell said in a news release, “these patches energize skin and deliver cooling hydration.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

It's a moment die-hard fans - known collectively as Army - have been waiting for since it was teased months ago.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

Chris is well versed in global investing and a die-hard fan of quality stocks, wherever they are traded.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

“You’re, like, a die-hard Dolly Parton fan? I mean, isn’t she really old?”

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.