The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ADVERSITY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
D
V
E
R
S
I
T
Y
More clues leading to the result ADVERSITY
- Very staid, suffering in hard times
- Misfortune truly besets model after a day
- Setback — very sad to get upset about it
- Notice truth’s obstructed by opening of show trial
- 14 A setback — very sad to get upset about it
- Is TV ready to change bad luck?
- Misfortune in vestry? Aid being organised
- Heartbreak's sad — very difficult to overcome it
- Bad luck to clean dirty vase
- Aid vestry perplexed by misfortune
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "hard times" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case hard times = adversity.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 ADVERSITY mean?
ADVERSITY noun- The state of adverse conditions; state of misfortune or calamity.
- An event that is adverse; calamity.