hard-hitting
Americanadjective
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striking or capable of striking with force.
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strikingly or effectively forceful.
a hard-hitting exposé.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of hard-hitting
First recorded in 1830–40
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.
Early signs suggested that “Iceman” would constitute a return to Drake’s tough-talking ways in the wake of his humiliating defeat, and indeed that’s largely what the album delivers over plush yet hard-hitting beats.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026
In a hard-hitting report on European competitiveness in 2024, Draghi called for a fundamental change of course by the bloc to stay in the race against the United States and China, notably through joint investments.
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
Meanwhile, Doherty is nominated for her portrayal of gang leader Mary Carr in Disney+'s Victorian thriller A Thousand Blows, and for playing a psychologist in Netflix's hard-hitting drama Adolescence.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
A fortnight on from dismantling England in ruthless fashion, Ireland were prevented from producing another statement performance by a hard-hitting Wales team who were chasing a first championship win since 2023.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026
Before the war he had been an alert, hard-hitting, aggressive marketing executive.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
