as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders
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Recent Examples of hard-line
The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s hard-line supreme leader, has caused widespread outrage among members of the Shia Muslim community in neighboring Pakistan, who have held demonstrations across the country.
—
Yarden Segev, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Many have expressed concerns about any potential merger, but none have taken a hard-line position the way that the WGA has.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
His hard-line government, meanwhile, has accelerated the legalization and construction of new settlements and allowed settlers to establish new outposts on hilltops ringing Palestinian villages.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
That hard-line stance came as some House Democrats voiced opposition to the stopgap funding for DHS, which was a compromise granted by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in order to scrap the original bill funding the agency.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Yarden Segev, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Many have expressed concerns about any potential merger, but none have taken a hard-line position the way that the WGA has.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
His hard-line government, meanwhile, has accelerated the legalization and construction of new settlements and allowed settlers to establish new outposts on hilltops ringing Palestinian villages.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
That hard-line stance came as some House Democrats voiced opposition to the stopgap funding for DHS, which was a compromise granted by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in order to scrap the original bill funding the agency.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
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The effort focused on brighter street lighting, stricter enforcement against underage alcohol use and a dedicated EMS presence on Sixth Street during weekend nights.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
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Gandi says the licensure standards are stricter now.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Many rigorous studies show that these ads can benefit patients’ health by encouraging them to seek lifesaving treatment for conditions such as depression and heart disease and sparking conversations with their doctors.—
Anna Chorniy,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
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The school has a little bit of everything with 34 athletic teams, 50 clubs and rigorous college-level academics.—
February 27,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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