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
Crafting bright-line tests that separate commodities from securities, or creating a new category, will be legally complex.
—
Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
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
Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
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
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What’s less obvious is that the people and institutions providing those inputs - researchers, hospitals, startups or even individuals - rarely receive credit or compensation for their knowledge.—
Amy Guttman,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Breakfast Some of the most obvious breakfast UPFs include sugary cereals and toaster pastries.—
Andrea Margolis , Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The timetable is phased with equal pricing in 2025 and VoP on a staggered schedule through 2027–28, but the strategic direction is unmistakable.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The entrance is unmistakable—just look for the giant lion’s head.—
Kim Kay,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The second series investigates deaths involving apparent falls from heights — examining whether victims were pushed from locations like balconies, cliffs and bridges.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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The consequences of the current fracturing may not be apparent right away.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The find represents the first clear detection of a baby planet taking shape within a disk of dust and gas with multiple rings.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Instead, Castilla says youths can eat a nutritious diet packed with fruits, vegetables, lean meat and whole grains, since studies have shown a strong connection between a healthy gut and clear skin.—
Khanh T.L. Tran,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How and why the Great North Run has remained and remains relevant is not linear or straightforward.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The logic for this belief is straightforward.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Still, sometimes the heat is impossible to ignore — evident in the small sweat stains on Dinkel’s blue collared shirt.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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The football landscape has changed 20 years on, and 10 new signings show United wanted to change the squad, but there is evident faith in retaining the nucleus of Farke’s 2025 centurions.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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China’s three distinct tech phases China’s tech success over the past 20 years was really achieved in three phases.—
Rich Karlgaard,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Do a separate soil test for each distinct area of your yard, such as existing or future vegetable gardens, flower beds, and lawns, because the lab recommendations will depend on the type of plants in that area.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The president has broad authority over DC, but federal law restrits his ability to unilaterally deploy the Guard to other areas.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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The specific geographical nature of spirits, like American whiskey only being able to be made in America and Scotch only being able to come from Scotland, must be considered when negotiating broad trade deals, Swonger said.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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