The term hard-bitten is often used to describe someone who is tough, cynical, and has been through a lot of difficult experiences. Some synonyms for hard-bitten include jaded, embittered, callous, toughened, hardened, world-weary, and battle-scarred. These words all describe traits similar to hard-bitten, but they may have slightly different connotations. For example, jaded implies a sense of disillusionment or weariness with life, while callous suggests a lack of empathy or sensitivity. Toughened and hardened imply a resilience to difficult circumstances, while world-weary suggests a sense of ennui or fatigue with the world and its problems. Battle-scarred implies a toughness gained from military experience.