as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
there is no bright-line rule governing the issue
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Recent Examples of bright-line
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—
Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
Because there are no bright-line rules for arguing fair use, Anthropic would need to present a strong case for its situation — likely involving the development of AI and the need for innovation.
—Tatjana Paterno, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Because some amount of discretion is needed in adjudicating these disputes, the absence of bright-line rules is a positive development.
—Robert Litan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2016
The route to success in arguing a case before Justice O’Connor lay not in invoking legal doctrine or bright-line rules, but in marshaling the facts to demonstrate a decision’s potential impact.
—Linda Greenhouse, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Whatever its justification, the explicit reference requirement is not the kind of straightforward, bright-line test that the Fiat judgment and Kokott’s Amazon opinion present it to be.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 17 July 2023
Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
Because there are no bright-line rules for arguing fair use, Anthropic would need to present a strong case for its situation — likely involving the development of AI and the need for innovation.
—Tatjana Paterno, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Because some amount of discretion is needed in adjudicating these disputes, the absence of bright-line rules is a positive development.
—Robert Litan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2016
The route to success in arguing a case before Justice O’Connor lay not in invoking legal doctrine or bright-line rules, but in marshaling the facts to demonstrate a decision’s potential impact.
—Linda Greenhouse, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Whatever its justification, the explicit reference requirement is not the kind of straightforward, bright-line test that the Fiat judgment and Kokott’s Amazon opinion present it to be.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 17 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright-line
Adjective
-
Making obvious your goal of understanding is a powerful way of creating goodwill.—
Kurt Gray,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
-
To be sure, there are obvious benefits to Israel in the first phase of the agreement.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
An older technique that is once again covering masks across the NHL this season is painting on top of chrome to give the mask an unmistakable shine.—
Jesse Granger,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
The low-key pair stepped out in casual duds to grab lunch, with the Twilight star sporting a messy topknot in an unmistakable platinum shade.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The most apparent sign of a mouse infestation in a home is droppings near food sources, such as kitchen cabinets, pantries, and under furniture.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Yet the apparent optimism was a thin veneer over deep uncertainty.—
Jeanna Smialek,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What the possibly dirty text messages involving Hutchinson might say or who sent them isn’t clear.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
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Effective communication fosters trust, reduces listener fatigue, and signals authority through clear, confident speech.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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How did the character of Joel—who is not a straightforward psychopath, if there is such a thing—come to you?—
Deborah Treisman,
The New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2025
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That’s where this straightforward supplement from Now Foods comes in, with nothing but 10,000 mcg of biotin.—
Kristine Thomason,
Vogue,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Very bold colors—a long, bright orange hallway—and wacky costumes like Harvey’s floral suits, to give the film a strident, distinct look and feel.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The movements Obama and Trump inspired were quite distinct.—
Ron Elving,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That was evident when the Panthers went with Cade Mays over Christensen at center.—
Joseph Person,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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Though the disproportionate dangers of flying in Alaska were evident both then and now, the Douglas C-54D Skymaster carrying Joyce, Jones and 42 others was well equipped to handle what was supposed to be a routine transit flight.—
Francine Uenuma,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Under the program, Miami Gardens police are given broad powers to stop and arrest people who appear to be loitering or trespassing at the participating business.—
JULIE K. BROWN,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
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Despite intersex invisibility in broader society, our incontrovertible existence demonstrates that Trump’s order is neither based in reality nor biology.—
Alicia Roth Weigel,
TIME,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bright-line
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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