as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders
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 hard-line
The men have faced death threats from Iran over their hard-line stances on the Islamic Republic while serving under Trump.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
As the administration moves forward with its hard-line immigration agenda, advocates in California are mobilizing to protect immigrant communities from and deportations.
—Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Two of the court’s most hard-line conservatives, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, have previously written that the Obergefell decision should be reconsidered.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2025
He was followed as president by the hard-line Ebrahim Raisi, picked in 2021 in an uncompetitive election.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hard-line 
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
As the administration moves forward with its hard-line immigration agenda, advocates in California are mobilizing to protect immigrant communities from and deportations.
—Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Two of the court’s most hard-line conservatives, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, have previously written that the Obergefell decision should be reconsidered.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2025
He was followed as president by the hard-line Ebrahim Raisi, picked in 2021 in an uncompetitive election.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hard-line
Thesaurus Entries Near hard-line
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share