1
as in certain
having been established and usually not subject to change
hard-and-fast rules that governed the corporate environment in those days included strictures regarding office dress that were rigidly enforced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unchangeable
not capable of changing or being changed
hard-and-fast beliefs that are the rock-solid foundation of their religion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard-and-fast
Because no hard-and-fast medical test exists for ME/CFS, the condition is sometimes considered more of a psychological than physical ailment.
—
New Atlas, 25 July 2025
One hard-and-fast requirement for playability is at least 16GB of unified RAM.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Elephant parents prefer to let children develop at their own pace, adapting to their needs over any hard-and-fast rules or strict routine.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 2 July 2025
This is not a hard-and-fast rule, which is good because teams bounce around that threshold daily this time of year.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-and-fast
New Atlas, 25 July 2025
One hard-and-fast requirement for playability is at least 16GB of unified RAM.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Elephant parents prefer to let children develop at their own pace, adapting to their needs over any hard-and-fast rules or strict routine.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 2 July 2025
This is not a hard-and-fast rule, which is good because teams bounce around that threshold daily this time of year.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-and-fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-and-fast
Adjective
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According to color theory, certain shades work beautifully with burgundy.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Only certain oil and gas facilities, including natural gas pipelines, will still be mandated to report emissions of gases like methane, but can delay reporting those emissions until the year 2034.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, cooperative and validating communication can help when problems are minor or unchangeable.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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On inauguration day in January, Trump declared through executive order that there are only two sexes, which are determined at conception and are unchangeable.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Any liquid water on TRAPPIST-1 e would be accompanied by a greenhouse effect, which would involve various gases, especially carbon dioxide, keeping the atmosphere stable and the planet warm.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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Your core muscles, back muscles, and balance may improve as your body works to remain stable against the extra weight.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For decades, scientists have considered the moon a dead world—a silent, unchanging landscape where nothing stirs.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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An unchanging body map could be a huge boost for the emerging field of brain-computer interfaces, which can allow a paralyzed person to speak or move a robotic arm.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the final details were still being negotiated, the embassy said the partnership will focus on key technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, telecommunications, and quantum computing.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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Season 4 lands on October 30th and will be followed by a fifth and final season.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The snug drawstring closure and four fixed buckles that attach to each chair leg help keep the cover from blowing away in the wind while keeping dirt and debris out.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 2025
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Wobbling through space The Earth’s axis, which is an imaginary line running through the North and South Poles, is in constant motion, even though it is commonly depicted as a fixed line.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Consider how closed captioning, originally developed for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, now benefits millions in noisy environments or when audio isn't available.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Just hard to think that’ll happen coming off the Jacksonville blowout.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-and-fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-and-fast. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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