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
Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough’s decision on Thursday to reject key Medicaid cuts in the bill enraged hard-line Republicans, who called on Senate leaders to overrule or fire the longtime Senate referee.
—
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Indeed, regime change might look more like a hard-line coup than anything else.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
Some lawmakers, including hard-line conservatives and key progressives, are calling the U.S. strikes a breach of the Constitution,.
—Susan Miller, USA Today, 24 June 2025
In 2009, his father, a cleric, ran for the Presidency, as did the former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, to defeat the hard-line incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Indeed, regime change might look more like a hard-line coup than anything else.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
Some lawmakers, including hard-line conservatives and key progressives, are calling the U.S. strikes a breach of the Constitution,.
—Susan Miller, USA Today, 24 June 2025
In 2009, his father, a cleric, ran for the Presidency, as did the former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, to defeat the hard-line incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
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The train itself is powered by energy-efficient DX-class diesel-electric locomotives, and the carrier maintains strict environmental protocols, including waste minimization and recycling practices on board.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Officials accomplished this by re-evaluating risk, putting strict limits on how long a person can be held in isolation and expanding behavioral health programs.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Experimental adoption is fine, as long as it's paired with rigorous due diligence and clearly defined outcomes.—
Stephanie Domas,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Hunting was off limits, as was trapping or poisoning, and the listing included rigorous habitat protections.—
Christine Peterson,
Vox,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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