as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hard-line
The breakdown of these traditional promotional barriers has led to a softening of the hard-line broadcast deals that previously meant Star Boxer A couldn’t take on Star Boxer B simply because each fought on different platforms.
—
Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Kirk inspired and infuriated millions of Americans with his hard-line conservative views and often incendiary language.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Neither a Muslim majority democratic government nor a more hard-line nationalist variant in Iran would sit well with nearby Gulf monarchs.
—David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
But given the fierce hard-line opposition and the leadership’s fear of the potential domestic consequences of surrendering to Israel and the United States, that is very unlikely.
—Robert J. Einhorn, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Kirk inspired and infuriated millions of Americans with his hard-line conservative views and often incendiary language.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Neither a Muslim majority democratic government nor a more hard-line nationalist variant in Iran would sit well with nearby Gulf monarchs.
—David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
But given the fierce hard-line opposition and the leadership’s fear of the potential domestic consequences of surrendering to Israel and the United States, that is very unlikely.
—Robert J. Einhorn, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
-
The therapy will debut at Relive Health’s Stuart, Florida location, thanks to recent updates in Florida’s regulatory framework allowing advanced stem cell treatments under strict medical oversight.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The weddings are planned by celebrity event stylist Slomique Hawrylo and adhere to a strict budget.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share