hardness

/ˈhɑrdnɪs/

/ˈhɑdnɛs/

Other forms: hardnesses

Definitions of hardness

1. noun

   the quality of being difficult to do
   “he assigned a series of problems of increasing hardness”

   synonyms: ruggedness

   type of:

   difficultness, difficulty

   the quality of being difficult
2. noun

   the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale
   antonyms:

   softness

   the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded

   types:

   firmness

   the property of being unyielding to the touch

   incompressibility

   the property of being incompressible

   type of:

   body, consistence, consistency, eubstance

   the property of holding together and retaining its shape
3. noun

   devoid of passion or feeling; hardheartedness
   synonyms: callosity, callousness, insensibility, unfeelingness

   types:

   dullness

   lack of sensibility

   type of:

   insensitiveness, insensitivity

   the inability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment
4. noun

   excessive sternness
   synonyms: austerity, harshness, inclemency, rigor, rigorousness, rigour, rigourousness, severeness, severity, stiffness

   type of:

   sternness, strictness

   uncompromising resolution
5. noun

   a quality of water that contains dissolved mineral salts that prevent soap from lathering
   “the costs of reducing hardness depend on the relative amounts of calcium and magnesium compounds that are present”

   type of:

   quality

   an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone