1
: being tough, stubborn, or uncompromising
2

Examples of hard-nosed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Walt Garrison, a hard-nosed running back for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s and ’70s and a member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame who became a cult hero in Texas, his home state, as the rare Cowboy who actually was a cowboy, has died. Alex Williams, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2023 Schwartz has a hard-nosed and old-school reputation, but with a twist of attitude. Ashley Bastock, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023 Jason Williams:How hard-nosed dad, doubting teacher shaped Cincinnati Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield Corey Kiner also went over 100 yards for the second time in his career with 105. Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2023 Anderson Cooper is a hard-nosed professional journalist, a serious guy by-day. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2023 Keep and eye out for running back Martin Blake, a 5-foot-6, 205-pound sophomore walk-on who could become a fan favorite with his hard-nosed running style and surprisingly soft hands out of the backfield. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2023 Stover is essential to this team’s identity as a leader and hard-nosed on-field presence. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2023 Walsh, a tough, hard-nosed runner, is back after a 1,319-yard, 17-TD season. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2023 The goal would be to find hard-nosed bargains that work for both sides and are not encumbered by demands for permanent fealty or prohibitions on Turkish relations with Russia or China. Asli Aydintasbas, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard-nosed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near hard-nosed

Cite this Entry

“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-nosed. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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