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 decision this week represents a departure from earlier hard-line measures and suggests a recalibration aimed at balancing energy interests with ongoing foreign policy challenges involving the Nicolás Maduro regime.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 July 2025
Wednesday's settlement comes as Columbia has faced harsh blowback from activists and free-speech advocates who accused the Ivy League university of caving to Trump's demands, while other schools, like Harvard University, have taken a more hard-line stance against the administration.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
President Trump and his administration Monday sought to use the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol agent in a Washington Heights park to bolster his hard-line stance on crime and immigration.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
President Trump, whose second term has been marked by his hard-line approach to immigration, released a new naturalization ceremony video last month.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 July 2025
Wednesday's settlement comes as Columbia has faced harsh blowback from activists and free-speech advocates who accused the Ivy League university of caving to Trump's demands, while other schools, like Harvard University, have taken a more hard-line stance against the administration.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
President Trump and his administration Monday sought to use the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol agent in a Washington Heights park to bolster his hard-line stance on crime and immigration.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
President Trump, whose second term has been marked by his hard-line approach to immigration, released a new naturalization ceremony video last month.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
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Although House rules allow members of Congress to provide gifts to other members, there is strict guidance on the appearance of impropriety and required disclosures.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
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In addition to broadening Opinel's appeal in jurisdictions with strict regulations on locking knives, the Opiflex mechanism is designed to streamline blade opening and closing for fast, intuitive knife use.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the certification was not specifically a result of litigation, pursuing rigorous, third-party validation of AI practices is increasingly viewed as an industry best practice.—
Marc Blythe,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Every insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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