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
-
There are obvious questions there.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
This abuse of power was obvious and alarming.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Poodle skirts, leather jackets, and the unmistakable sounds of early rock ‘n’ roll set the tone recently as Horizon Prep in Rancho Santa Fe hosted its annual Father-Daughter Dance with a lively 1950s theme.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Still, the direction of economic travel is unmistakable.—
Kevin Russell,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The apparent bear attack took place nearly three decades after the last deadly bear attack in Glacier National Park occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
But their apparent domestic paradise was thrown into disarray when Betty began to suspect her husband was having an affair with his younger office assistant, Linda Kolkena.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
His condition was not immediately clear.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Set one clear priority and start there.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The answer is fairly straightforward.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
The rules surrounding joint accounts and debt collection aren't always straightforward, either.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
That kind of democratization of luxury is evident in Berryman’s interior, with a layout that combines guests and crew rather than separates them.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
6 May 2026
-
At La Grand’Vigne, chef Nicolas Masse’s reverence for nature and terroir is evident from the get-go.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
But rollout varies sharply across industries, and leaders face similar yet distinct questions about what to assess before deployment, what to govern during it, and which companies are already navigating it well.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
The researchers took ordinary metal rings and precisely shaped them into specific patterns designed to produce distinct ultrasonic frequencies when struck.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The race came amid a broader power struggle between the two sides of City Hall early in both Mamdani and Menin’s leadership, but the election will also have a more immediate impact.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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