1
: being tough, stubborn, or uncompromising
2

Examples of hard-nosed in a Sentence

the team's hard-nosed coach doesn't make exceptions for anybody
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That leads us to Brent Seabrook and his 1,114 games, a classic example of the dependable, hard-nosed blueliner archetype that will show up often on this list. Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025 Philadelphians love players who are hard-nosed, hard-working and give their best effort on every play. Timothy J. Brown, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025 Now filming the fourth season of Abbott after playing completely against type as a hard-nosed parole officer in the indie film Ricky that's heading to Sundance Film Festival this month, Ralph is busier than ever. Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 These countries banded together and, through years of hard-nosed negotiations, secured a compromise with the superpowers. Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hard-nosed 

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-nosed was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near hard-nosed

Cite this Entry

“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-nosed. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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