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
Sonnett represents a vital holdover from the team’s last World Cup win in 2019, having established herself as a hard-nosed veteran along the back-line.
—
Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 1 June 2025
The rivalry has followed the pair to the WNBA, where the Fever and Sky have played in a series of hard-nosed contests.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Her only chance for safety is to cut a dirty deal with the hard-nosed gang leader Zuka (rapper Ziad Zaza).
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 22 May 2025
Not only was the winger jumping into the league just one year after he was drafted, but the 1984-85 Philadelphia Flyers were a talent-laden club led by a first-year head coach, Mike Keenan, who quickly established a reputation as a hard-nosed guy who would often employ abrasive tactics.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 1 June 2025
The rivalry has followed the pair to the WNBA, where the Fever and Sky have played in a series of hard-nosed contests.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Her only chance for safety is to cut a dirty deal with the hard-nosed gang leader Zuka (rapper Ziad Zaza).
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 22 May 2025
Not only was the winger jumping into the league just one year after he was drafted, but the 1984-85 Philadelphia Flyers were a talent-laden club led by a first-year head coach, Mike Keenan, who quickly established a reputation as a hard-nosed guy who would often employ abrasive tactics.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-nosed
Adjective
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Football has typically accepted these lapses and quietly moved on, adamant that the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) is primarily a problem for other sports.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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Green groups are adamant EVs should be the only option.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Despite setbacks — including talks of a walkout, which stalled when leadership got wind of the strategic move — the cheerleaders remained steadfast in their pursuit.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
25 June 2025
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While some things have changed since then — such as her hair color and last name — Brett’s philosophy on the power of education and educators has remained steadfast, even as the culture and technology of both education and the world shifted.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-nosed. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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