Synonyms of hard-nosed

hard-nosed

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈnōzd 

as in adamant

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adamant
• stubborn
• steadfast
• hardened
• uncompromising
• hardheaded
• intransigent
• implacable
• headstrong
• opinionated
• bullheaded
• obstinate
• unbending
• unrelenting
• unyielding
• obdurate
• dogged
• obsessive
• hard
• willful
• inflexible
• mulish
• pertinacious
• immovable
• pigheaded
• pat
• adamantine
• perverse
• strict
• persistent
• relentless
• ossified
• determined
• tenacious
• stiff-necked
• self-willed
• self-opinionated
• inconvincible
• unflinching
• hard-line
• stern
• deaf to reason
• rigid
• iron
• wayward
• cantankerous
• wrongheaded
• defiant
• inexorable
• single-minded
• resolved
• severe
• hidebound
• hard-shell
• narrow-minded
• firm
• indomitable
• uncooperative
• recalcitrant
• anal-retentive
• bloody-minded
• stouthearted
• intractable
• hell-bent
• insubordinate
• contrary
• contumacious
• mutinous
• disobedient
• unruly
• invincible
• inveterate
• refractory
• unmanageable
• insurgent
• exacting
• demanding
• unconquerable
• cussed
• set
• ungovernable
• confirmed
• unregenerate
• froward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• amenable
• agreeable
• compliant
• pliant
• acquiescent
• pliable
• obedient
• docile
• complying
• submissive
• tractable
• yielding
• willing
• receptive
• responsive
• reasonable
• accepting
• placable
• relenting
• manageable
• temperate
• subservient
• slavish
• persuadable
• governable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hard-nosed

Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

John Wayne and Gary Cooper, like Ken-san, often played anachronistic loners from a disappearing Arcadia that was being destroyed by hard-nosed modernizers—greedy bankers, railway owners, big-city politicians. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

In addition to his hard-nosed approach, Zahnd developed a reputation as a prosecutor with a keen sense of moral clarity. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Setting the pace is key against the Valkyries, a team known for its hard-nosed defensive mentality. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026