as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
there is no bright-line rule governing the issue
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Recent Examples of bright-line
When the choice is between the CPM and something other than the CUT method or a CUT-like unspecified method, the bright-line comparability requirements imposed by reg.
—
Ryan Finley, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Ryan Finley, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright-line
Adjective
-
Make kind choices and keep boundaries obvious.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So the movement upward here is unmistakable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Now, as temperatures rise, so too does the unmistakable presence of Eau Splendide.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The following year, Salling died at age 35 of an apparent suicide.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But there seems to be a clear increase in the number of ticks out there.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Share a clear plan, and invite real input.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For Shaina Wilkins, justice is straightforward.—
Ash-har Quraishi,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This straightforward set-up lays the groundwork for a moving, and often anxiety-inducing, investigation of language, empathy, and miscommunication.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This season was too miserable, and this club was too far below any reasonable standard to deny the long-evident reality that a full, disciplined rebuild is now an absolute necessity.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In their video announcing the show’s ending, Hadel and Cusack emphasized that these episodes are not a proper finale of any sort, and that’s very evident from watching them.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
My own life does not feel like one continuous thing but, rather, two distinct halves that belong to two very different people.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
With his wife, Anne, James nurtured a 40-acre ranch in Wynola, near Julian, that housed his art studio as well as visually distinct buildings that have come to be associated with James’ organic approach to architectural design.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Republican candidate Steve Hilton said the Swalwell scandal underscores broader concerns about accountability at the highest levels of government.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The broader economic risks have continued to rear their head.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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