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
While Burton has captured the love of Valkyries fans for her hard-nosed mentality, the 25-year-old Massachusetts native’s journey to becoming one of the expansion team’s best players wasn’t linear.
—
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Now, a slew of states across the country have joined in a hard-nosed, high-stakes redistricting battle.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Epps is a Texas commit who is a hard-nosed and versatile linebacker.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
What products companies choose to bring to the show often represent an interesting tension between hard-nosed calculations and corporate wish fulfillment about the direction tech is expected to take in the coming months and years.
—Tom Coughlin, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2017
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Now, a slew of states across the country have joined in a hard-nosed, high-stakes redistricting battle.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Epps is a Texas commit who is a hard-nosed and versatile linebacker.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
What products companies choose to bring to the show often represent an interesting tension between hard-nosed calculations and corporate wish fulfillment about the direction tech is expected to take in the coming months and years.
—Tom Coughlin, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2017
See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-nosed
Adjective
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Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
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Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As such, Mahomes evidently not only is immune to complacency but actually has become more adamant with success.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
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After taking a year off to improve his health, Renfrow was adamant about playing for the Panthers.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Labyrinth’s themes, characters, and evocative visual artistry remain a steadfast inspiration for artists of all mediums.—
Logan Karlie
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
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Alan, equally steadfast in his conviction, sees the model as both economic and morally justified.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Tren de Aragua originated more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison with hardened criminals in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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By breeding Florida’s hardened survivors with Honduran corals, the scientists hope to create offspring that will carry a new heat-resistant genetic armor for the climate battles ahead.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-nosed. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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