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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hard-and-fast
Think of it more as a guideline than a hard-and-fast rule.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Plus different doctors take different approaches, so there aren’t hard-and-fast rules.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 May 2025
The bottom line: Certain lifestyle behaviors and nutrients might influence egg quality in some people—but there isn’t enough research to make a hard-and-fast recommendation.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
In the spaceflight community, there is no hard-and-fast definition.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-and-fast
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Plus different doctors take different approaches, so there aren’t hard-and-fast rules.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 May 2025
The bottom line: Certain lifestyle behaviors and nutrients might influence egg quality in some people—but there isn’t enough research to make a hard-and-fast recommendation.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
In the spaceflight community, there is no hard-and-fast definition.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-and-fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-and-fast
Adjective
-
At the same time, the Trump administration is slashing spending and jobs, with ripple effects reaching contractors and even certain real estate markets.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
21 June 2025
-
Watch how the characters hit and hold certain key poses as the camera glides and zooms around them.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
In his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting trans rights, including one stating the U.S. government would recognize only two unchangeable sexes and another barring trans people from military service.—
Brooke Sopelsa,
NBC news,
13 May 2025
-
But these unchangeable circumstances don't stop military spouses from taking charge of their own lives.—
Grace Harrington,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
However, we've been inundated with previews and test builds as Google works toward general availability, which means a model is stable enough for long-term development work.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2025
-
The Riverside Police Department is seeking help from the public two days after the driver of a black SUV rammed through a group of demonstrators in downtown Riverside, running over a young woman who remains in critical condition but is stable.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Othello review: Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal shine in an otherwise shaky production Before long, Henry has dripped poison in Dorian's ear — warning him of his beauty's impermanence — while Basil's unchanging snapshot of his youth has evoked a bitter envy in the impressionable young man.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The other unchanging reality is that Eastern pundits love analyzing the performance of California governors, since the sheer size of this state automatically propels whoever is governor into the status of a presidential possibility.—
Thomas D. Elias,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
The final tally fell at five, which meant almost half the class would be out sick.—
David Mack,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
-
The project saw its construction costs triple from an initial request for proposals estimate of $54 million in 2021 to its final budget of $152 million, which was presented to the University of California Board of Regents for approval in 2022.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
There’s also bread-making forest hikes, and no fixed schedule.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
In most matches, there is no fixed point in attack.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
-
Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Hard-and-fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-and-fast. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share