1
: being tough, stubborn, or uncompromising
2

Examples of hard-nosed in a Sentence

the team's hard-nosed coach doesn't make exceptions for anybody
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vrabel has a reputation for playing hard-nosed, smash-mouth football and that is exactly what the Patriots needed after a 4-13 season under Jerrod Mayo. Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025 The cast, made up of characters ranging from hard-nosed detectives to concerned relatives to slippery suspects, features several great overseas actors, including Naomi Ackie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Daniel Mays, Richard E. Grant and Tom Ellis. Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Key is an old-school guy, an offensive lineman who likes hard-nosed, physical football. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 July 2025 Arnault, who built the company through decades of hard-nosed dealmaking and absolute fidelity to brand, has been positioning his children in key positions throughout the company, with one of them expected to step up eventually. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-nosed was in 1917

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Cite this Entry

“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-nosed. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.

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