as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders
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Recent Examples of hard-line
The source said there is only a small handful of senators in each party who are willing to buck their leadership’s hard-line negotiating position.
—
Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
President Donald Trump and Administration officials have repeatedly insisted his hard-line immigration agenda is focused on rooting out and expelling dangerous criminals, painting their efforts to carry out mass deportations as a means of protecting law-abiding Americans.
—Connor Greene, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
With Pezeshkian’s hands tied on the international stage by the supreme leader and his hard-line opponents pressing a crackdown on real and perceived enemies at home, the Iranian president appears more isolated than at any point since assuming his position last year.
—Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
The breakdown of these traditional promotional barriers has led to a softening of the hard-line broadcast deals that previously meant Star Boxer A couldn’t take on Star Boxer B simply because each fought on different platforms.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
President Donald Trump and Administration officials have repeatedly insisted his hard-line immigration agenda is focused on rooting out and expelling dangerous criminals, painting their efforts to carry out mass deportations as a means of protecting law-abiding Americans.
—Connor Greene, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
With Pezeshkian’s hands tied on the international stage by the supreme leader and his hard-line opponents pressing a crackdown on real and perceived enemies at home, the Iranian president appears more isolated than at any point since assuming his position last year.
—Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
The breakdown of these traditional promotional barriers has led to a softening of the hard-line broadcast deals that previously meant Star Boxer A couldn’t take on Star Boxer B simply because each fought on different platforms.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy.—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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Article 3 Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution places strict limitations on the regular circumstances under which a governor can deploy guard troops.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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