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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President Donald Trump's administration has announced strict new visa restrictions for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The rule requires refiners and fuel distributors to meet stricter emissions targets even as refineries close in a state that has long made its hostility to the oil and gas industry clear.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
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Before a potential controller can even step foot in the academy, there’s a rigorous application and qualification process.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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