The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word SOLACE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
O
L
A
C
E
More clues leading to the result SOLACE
- Elevated accountant given exclusive housing as compensation
- Note doctor brings comfort
- Very material comfort
- Very large card bringing comfort in hard times
- Accordingly fabric provides comfort
- Comfort sun’s brought to celebrity
- Cheer very quietly, leaving location
- Console expert after smear sees one sacked
- Comfort thus given by fabric
- Comfort provided by 10?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "comfort in hard times" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case comfort in hard times = solace.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SOLACE mean?
SOLACE noun- Comfort or consolation in a time of loneliness or distress.
- A source of comfort or consolation.
- To give solace to; comfort; cheer; console.
- To allay or assuage.
- To take comfort; to be cheered.