hardball
noun
hard·ball
ˈhärd-ˌbȯl 
1
: baseball
2
: forceful uncompromising methods employed to gain an end
played political hardball
Examples of hardball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There might be other teams that want to trade for the veteran, especially before the season begins, but the Falcons could be playing hardball on the asking price.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The Majesticks are most acutely feeling the impact of LIV playing hardball.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Scudder, the Texas Democratic chair, said his party must be willing to play hardball.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
Unrest over contract matters, Jones playing hardball, absorbing the attention that is as necessary to him as oxygen, then ultimately paying up.
—Greg Cote
august 5, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardball
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James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The Majesticks are most acutely feeling the impact of LIV playing hardball.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Scudder, the Texas Democratic chair, said his party must be willing to play hardball.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
Unrest over contract matters, Jones playing hardball, absorbing the attention that is as necessary to him as oxygen, then ultimately paying up.
—Greg Cote
august 5, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardball
Cite this Entry
“Hardball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardball. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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