Hard-pressed

Alternative forms

• hard pressed, hardpressed

Full definition of hard-pressed

Adjective

1. (idiomatic, usually with to-infinitive) Barely able. Having difficulty doing something.Although they are still available, I think we would be hard-pressed to find one on short notice.
2. (idiomatic) Experiencing financial difficulty or difficulty in surviving.''The earthquake left the residents hard-pressed.

Synonyms

• (barely able) hard put; hard pushed
• (in financial or survival difficulty) in dire straits