: advocating or involving a rigidly uncompromising course of action
hard-liner noun

Examples of hard-line in a Sentence

a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders
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.
Trump has vowed to remove millions of immigrants without legal status as part of a hard-line mass deportation policy. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Abrego Garcia, a construction worker who had been living in Maryland, became a flashpoint over Trump’s hard-line immigration policies when he was mistakenly deported to his native El Salvador in March. Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 That July, students protested the closure of a reformist newspaper—one of a few outlets that dared to openly criticize the hard-line clerical establishment. Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025 In the week leading up to the July 1 return-to-office deadline, Newsom has softened on his initial hard-line stance on the issue. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hard-line

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-line was in 1903

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Cite this Entry

“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-line. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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