hard-nosed

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈnōzd 

1

: being tough, stubborn, or uncompromising

a hard-nosed boss

2

: hardheaded sense 2, tough-minded

Synonyms of hard-nosed

• adamant
• stubborn
• steadfast
• hardened

Examples of hard-nosed in a Sentence

the team's hard-nosed coach doesn't make exceptions for anybody

Recent Examples on the Web

Silverstone’s character, Cher Horowitz, is the daughter of a hard-nosed litigator, much like Kardashian’s late father, the attorney Robert Kardashian. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is running for reelection as an unpopular incumbent, fashions himself a champion for working people and has been, to put it mildly, less than a hard-nosed negotiator with unions. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Lonergan was replaced by Surace, who tossed for 64 yards but was sacked three times by Northwestern’s hard-nosed defense. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Stephen Winn, a hard-nosed Texan with a taste for big data, founded RealPage in 1998. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hard-nosed

• decomposed
• discomposed
• indisposed
• interposed
• juxtaposed
• predisposed
• presupposed
• reimposed
• superposed
• undisclosed
• undisposed
• unenclosed