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
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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
Some of this came about due to the emergence of the internet and a hard-and-fast push to boost the conference and interactive space of SXSW.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hard-and-fast
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hard-and-fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-and-fast
Adjective
-
This is partly due to personal preference, but leaving plants standing through winter also helps certain plants grow better and even provides perks to local wildlife.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Forever Fleece joggers, with certain styles on sale for as low as $45.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order proclaiming that the U.S. recognizes only two unchangeable sexes, male and female.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2026
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Richter’s piece floods in, the strings mounting to something freeing but unchangeable.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Polk said the astronaut is stable but that diagnostic uncertainty in microgravity prompted NASA to err on the side of bringing the crew member back to Earth.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Treaties assume shared values, stable circumstances, and mutual benefit.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Beaches, which are enjoyed by millions of people each year and contribute significantly to local economies, also were listed as good and unchanging for the past decade.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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These landscapes are often described as ancient and unchanging, but archaeological and historical research shows that most were constructed around the 17th century, during a period of political and economic pressure linked to Spanish colonial expansion.—
Stephen Acabado,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But Wood said there is not much to stop agents from rearresting an individual with a final deportation order after that process plays out.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
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Given one final chance to tie, Mazzulla sent Gonzalez back in as a late sub, and the 19-year-old buried one from the left corner to force a second OT.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Even if Hoosiers save only $10 per month, Pryor said the savings will be significant to the elderly or those on a fixed income.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
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While the Botswana government does not publish a fixed minimum investment amount, those interested must prove a real business investment.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Minneapolis — During Januarys here, the days are dark and short, the ground is cold and hard, and the subzero air pierces and cuts.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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His characters make cavalier deals with the proverbial devil, even as the costs become harder to ignore.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-and-fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-and-fast. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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