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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Recent Examples of hard-nosed
That identity – a hard-nosed, gritty style of basketball – was on display in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
—
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
That somebody is Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who, as the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale revealed, has gone from hard-nosed enforcer for the government to secret operative for the resistance.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 6 May 2026
When the Magic hired Jamahl Mosley in July 2021, the first-time NBA head coach was tasked with developing a young team, setting a new standard for the future of the organization and building an identity that featured a hard-nosed defensive mindset.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Chicago is known for its hard-nosed politics and take-no-prisoners attitude.
—Glenn Davis, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
That somebody is Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who, as the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale revealed, has gone from hard-nosed enforcer for the government to secret operative for the resistance.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 6 May 2026
When the Magic hired Jamahl Mosley in July 2021, the first-time NBA head coach was tasked with developing a young team, setting a new standard for the future of the organization and building an identity that featured a hard-nosed defensive mindset.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Chicago is known for its hard-nosed politics and take-no-prisoners attitude.
—Glenn Davis, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-nosed
Adjective
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David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images Are Americans finally starting to feel the strain of soaring gas prices and stubborn inflation?—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
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Treasury yields have gone up in recent months as stubborn inflation reduces the likelihood of Fed rate cuts, Pisula notes, while geopolitical tensions add more long-term risk to rates.—
Tim Maxwell,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Massie had held firm -- adamant that his constituents would pull through for him.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
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Glamour readers were very, very adamant that consent is needed from the group before a new person is added to the chat.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Amid the uncertainty, however, Missouri Republican officials remain steadfast in their belief that the new map is in effect.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
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Because Aaron Rai is not Aaron Rai without a steadfast resistance to change.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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That means hardened infrastructure, redundant logistics, jointly developed air and missile defenses, more resilient energy systems, and upgrades to pipelines, ports, rail, and trade routes.—
Daniel Benaim,
Time,
18 May 2026
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Shockwave makes a catheter that emits localized sonic pressure waves to crack hardened plaque in arteries.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-nosed. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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