HARD-EDGED Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-edged

adjective

Definition of hard-edged

as in unsentimental

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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-edged The Good, the Bad and the Painterly As Bouancheau fashioned a Puss that was more lyrical, like a character that stepped out of a fairy tale book and less hard-edged, all the other characters followed suit. — Karen Idelson, Variety, 23 Feb. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-edged

Adjective

That’s a shame, because Eleazar gives a layered and unsentimental performance in what should be her breakout role, even as Rock’s film turns out to hide some curious ideas about women.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Mears died at the age of ninety-one, and the end of his life seems to have been as unsentimental as its beginning.

— Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsentimental

Adjective

Those sorts of moments can be discombobulating, even jarring, even for the tough-minded likes of NFL players.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Everyone who watches Cochran sees a hard-nosed, tough-minded center back who makes an impact at both ends of the field.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of tough-minded

Adjective

At the press conference, a journalist noted that his filmography is notable for its unromantic view of animal life.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
For 30 minutes, the hunter watched the whitetails play a cat-and-mouse game as the buck tried to stay close to the unromantic does.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of unromantic

Adjective

Both of those airlines reported top- and bottom-line misses for the third quarter.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Beyond the bottom-line impact of having the wrong amount of office space, using attendance data alone to make critical real estate decisions can also erode team trust.

— Micah Remley, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of bottom-line

Adjective

This time, Michael sounds less idealistic and much more cynical.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Goor and Del Tredici are gearing up to debut their next NBC sitcom, a single-camera workplace comedy starring Jake Johnson as a cynical detective working at a past-its-prime private investigator agency in Hollywood.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cynical

Adjective

Apparently, at a KATSEYE concert, even the ballads aren’t allowed to stay grounded.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
Director Destin Daniel Cretton wanted a more grounded, street-level Spider-Man, with the city itself integral to the story.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of grounded

Adjective

Sometimes our rational understanding of life and death bumps into a seemingly impossible presence.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
So in the short term, these employers are arguably making an economically rational decision — but one that may still come at their employees’ expense.

— Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rational

Browse Nearby Words

hard-driving

hard-edged

harden

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Style

“Hard-edged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-edged. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hard-edged

adjective

Example Sentences

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