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 30-year-old investor has made a name for himself with fiery campaign videos on social media, as well as taking hard-line stances against immigration, even legal immigration.
—
Jim Defede, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
The Lee administration has therefore appointed moderates to key diplomatic posts, such as national security adviser, and Lee can further empower them while pushing back against more hard-line forces by demonstrating the tangible benefits of cooperation with Tokyo.
—Ayumi Teraoka, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2025
Despite not getting a vote on ObamaCare subsidies extension as part of the GOP health care package, moderates are resisting hard-line tactics that could sink the GOP health care bill or more fiercely defy Republican leadership.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025
In his political career, Sarkozy took a hard-line stance on crime, introducing mandatory-minimum sentencing and toughening rules for young offenders.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Jim Defede, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
The Lee administration has therefore appointed moderates to key diplomatic posts, such as national security adviser, and Lee can further empower them while pushing back against more hard-line forces by demonstrating the tangible benefits of cooperation with Tokyo.
—Ayumi Teraoka, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2025
Despite not getting a vote on ObamaCare subsidies extension as part of the GOP health care package, moderates are resisting hard-line tactics that could sink the GOP health care bill or more fiercely defy Republican leadership.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025
In his political career, Sarkozy took a hard-line stance on crime, introducing mandatory-minimum sentencing and toughening rules for young offenders.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
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Senior officials said that Medicare beneficiaries seeking coverage for GLP-1 drugs for obesity would have to meet strict eligibility criteria and that these would follow Make America Healthier Again principles to address chronic disease risk factors.—
Alice Park,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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Beyond the major races, Democrats swept state Supreme Court contests in Pennsylvania and won ballot initiatives in Colorado and Maine, where voters approved gun safety measures and rejected stricter voter ID laws.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Harlan Vaughn,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Encinitas Green Business Network provides a rigorous framework for local organizations to reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, practical, and high-impact improvements.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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