as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the team's hard-nosed coach doesn't make exceptions for anybody
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard-nosed
Jaxson Hayes had 13 points, but the Lakers couldn't match up defensively with the hard-nosed Pistons.
—
CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
Javonte, the hard-nosed reindeer If running back Javonte Williams hadn’t already cemented his value for the future, his first-half performance Thursday should have sealed the deal.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Dec. 2025
Chris, an All-American at Wichita State who reached Triple-A ball in the 1990s, is a hard-nosed, old-school baseball guy who couldn’t stop the waterworks from flowing that day.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
Her job involved convincing hard-nosed procurement officers at Russia’s largest corporations to invest substantial budgets in lighting systems.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
Javonte, the hard-nosed reindeer If running back Javonte Williams hadn’t already cemented his value for the future, his first-half performance Thursday should have sealed the deal.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Dec. 2025
Chris, an All-American at Wichita State who reached Triple-A ball in the 1990s, is a hard-nosed, old-school baseball guy who couldn’t stop the waterworks from flowing that day.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
Her job involved convincing hard-nosed procurement officers at Russia’s largest corporations to invest substantial budgets in lighting systems.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-nosed
Adjective
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Universal Friend was independent, resolute, and brave—qualities that we Americans often claim as uniquely ours—but also stubborn and egotistical.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Apply a baking soda paste, or, for darker or stubborn stains, a paste of baking soda and white vinegar.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stephen Miller made these comments on CNN and was adamant that this would happen.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
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Although the film would have been far easier to finance if the production took place in another country, Hadi was adamant about shooting in his homeland.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What alerted them to her location wasn’t footprints or a cell phone ping, however, but rather the sounds of her steadfast pup, Cami.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
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The year-on-year increases at each major are more modest, usually between 10 and 12 percent, but that percentage of tournament revenue remains steadfast, if not entirely immovable.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The warrior spirit that exists oftentimes comes across as pretty hardened and crusty and cynical.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Microwave one cup of water for three to five minutes to soften hardened food residue, and allow the mixture to sit for up to 15 additional minutes, if needed.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-nosed. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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