Synonyms of the word

hard-bitten

• adj. callous and toughened by experience.

hard-boiled

• adj. (of a boiled egg) Cooked to a solid consistency.
• adj. (of a person, especially of a detective) Callous and unsentimental.
• v. simple past tense and past participle of hard-boil.

pugnacious

• adj. Naturally aggressive or hostile; combative; belligerent; bellicose.

tough

• adj. Strong and resilient; sturdy.
• adj. (of food) Difficult to cut or chew.
• adj. Rugged or physically hardy.
• adj. Stubborn.
• adj. (of weather etc) Harsh or severe.
• adj. Rowdy or rough.
• adj. (of questions, etc.) Difficult or demanding.
• adj. (material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.
• interj. (slang) Used to indicate lack of sympathy.
• n. A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.
• v. To endure.
• v. To toughen.