as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
there is no bright-line rule governing the issue
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 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
-
Doohan faces Colapinto questions There were two obvious topics facing Alpine drivers Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Trent Frederic is going to be a very popular guy if the Bruins decide to sell, but old friend Nico Sturm would be an obvious target if the answer above is yes. 23.—
Corey Masisak,
The Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The entire capsule collection features quirky touches evocative of Johnson’s idiosyncratic and unmistakable approach to fashion.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
24 Feb. 2025
-
And so the passion that the Japanese fans have for the game of baseball (was unmistakable).—
Jayson Stark,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
That danger was apparent when formaldehyde in plywood used to build temporary trailer homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina sickened dozens of people.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
It’s been apparent in the last several years that the number of corporate CMOs is going down.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
What is clear is that the offseason is now over, spring training is underway and the Yankees have done nothing to replace Torres.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Reality check: The mayor is a nonpartisan position, but the political leanings of candidates are often clear.—
Megan Stringer,
Axios,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Yes, the story is straightforward, but the answers are not.—
David John Chávez,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The journey to becoming one of basketball’s elite players wasn’t always straightforward for Gray.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This is classic mosaic evolution, where different parts of the anatomy evolve at distinct rates.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Resisting the label of fusion, Twitty describes the dish as an homage to flavors that highlights the intersections between distinct culinary traditions.—
Danielle Dorsey,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And when the crosses did come on — Alex Iwobi also delivered eight from the other wing — the extra body Nuno wanted in defence was not always evident.—
Paul Taylor,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
His performance in junior open-wheel racing is evident from his title win in the 2018 USF Pro 2000 Championship and his P2 finish in the 2019 Indy Lights series.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His remarks come as Trump critics have continued to raise concerns about recent actions by the DOJ, including Bondi issuing a directive to review the federal prosecution of Trump as part of a broader initiative to overhaul the DOJ, which Trump has long claimed is biased against conservatives.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Overall, Israel is also still pursuing the broader goal of causing regime change in Iran, one of the recent US intelligence reports says.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share