hardball
noun
hard·ball
ˈhärd-ˌbȯl 
1
: baseball
2
: forceful uncompromising methods employed to gain an end
played political hardball
Examples of hardball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With no offer sheet in sight, given that the market has dried out, the Warriors are playing hardball with Kuminga, trying to lock him into a contract that benefit their books long-term.
—
Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
So far, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are playing hardball.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
As baseball players, by contrast Jenny and Lydia’s maturity had begun to compromise their ability in one special respect: throwing a hardball.
—J.t. Barbarese, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
That does not mean our state capitol is lacking for some serious hardball.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardball
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Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
So far, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are playing hardball.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
As baseball players, by contrast Jenny and Lydia’s maturity had begun to compromise their ability in one special respect: throwing a hardball.
—J.t. Barbarese, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
That does not mean our state capitol is lacking for some serious hardball.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardball
Cite this Entry
“Hardball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardball. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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