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
Private Business, Public Money Six years after the settlement, Dundon and his associates are playing hardball in negotiations with state and city leaders to secure public money to revamp Portland’s Moda Center.
—
Conrad Wilson, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2026
Tehran’s hardball asks include the payment of war reparations and the recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Social Circle hardball City of Social Circle officials say ICE has finalized the purchase of an industrial warehouse with plans to turn it into a sprawling detention facility, where as many as 10,000 immigrants could be held.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Cantor was ready to play hardball.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardball
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Conrad Wilson, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2026
Tehran’s hardball asks include the payment of war reparations and the recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Social Circle hardball City of Social Circle officials say ICE has finalized the purchase of an industrial warehouse with plans to turn it into a sprawling detention facility, where as many as 10,000 immigrants could be held.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Cantor was ready to play hardball.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardball
Cite this Entry
“Hardball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardball. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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