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
Iran then installed his son, Mojtaba, who is viewed as even more hard-line, as supreme leader.
—
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
After last week’s hard-line family-resemblance death panel overseen by Bobchelle Visage, this is entirely too subjective and wishy-washy.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Iran’s government, now more hard-line and militarized than ever, will remain in power.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Iranians of diverse religious faiths mark Nowruz even though the hard-line Iranian regime has at times discouraged festivities.
—Amy Taxin, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
After last week’s hard-line family-resemblance death panel overseen by Bobchelle Visage, this is entirely too subjective and wishy-washy.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Iran’s government, now more hard-line and militarized than ever, will remain in power.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Iranians of diverse religious faiths mark Nowruz even though the hard-line Iranian regime has at times discouraged festivities.
—Amy Taxin, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
-
Minnesota also implemented stricter regulations around those products because of the federal prohibition, such as where consumers can buy them.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The design process took more than five years, a negotiation between the city’s strict hydraulic requirements and the neighborhood’s shifting wishes; the result was something no one had pictured in advance.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Early analyses have begun to link genes to traits such as drought tolerance and temperature adaptation, but researchers say more rigorous work is needed to confirm those links before they can be used to guide restoration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Nicoletta Richardson,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
