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.
Daniels suffered a rib injury midway through the season, but he’s returned in fine fettle, and the future seems impossibly bright, with the expectation of a decade or more of Daniels excellence, playing for a hard-nosed, championship-winning coach in Dan Quinn. David Aldridge, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024 An Eagles all-time great, Bill was a legendary linebacker who gained the respect of players and coaches across the league for his blue-collar work ethic and hard-nosed play. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 Known for his hard-nosed defense, Finney-Smith entered Sunday averaging 10.7 points per game while shooting a career-best 42.2% from 3-point range. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024 Trump has tried to soften his image on immigration restriction, if not his hard-nosed approach to policy. Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Dec. 2024 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 2 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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