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
Crafting bright-line tests that separate commodities from securities, or creating a new category, will be legally complex.
—
Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
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
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
Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright-line
Adjective
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And a soft implant can be the best option to avoid an obvious edge.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
That’s because your liver won’t give you obvious clues that say there’s a MASH up going there.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There is a deep respect for the brand’s heritage throughout the collection, but also an unmistakable drive to modernize, internationalize, and individualize the designs for today’s and tomorrow’s audience.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The mood on the factory floor was unmistakable.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The apparent hoaxes come amid heightened concern over campus safety following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Paramount’s apparent interest is no surprise since the company’s ambitious new CEO, David Ellison, has talked about a desire to strike further deals.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the other end, a clear brow gel sculpts natural hairs into your preferred position.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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This reliability could speed up the shoe design cycle and reduce costs, while giving developers a clearer picture of real-world performance.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to reduce your chances of being confronted with violent or disturbing videos.—
Annie Margaret,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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At a joint appearance after a leadership meeting on Thursday, Schumer framed the dispute as a straightforward test over health care.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is not your father’s or grandfather’s Atherton High School football program, and never was that more evident than Tuesday’s practice at the school.—
Rich Barak,
Louisville Courier Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The care taken in preparing the food is evident.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After the very recent birth of their child, Un has taken a break from the all-consuming demands of restaurateuring to attend to the entirely distinct all-consuming demands of early parenthood.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
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After monitoring them for two years, the researchers directly observed the birth of two different species of males with distinct genomes from a single queen.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These factors are steadily eroding the viability of family farms and the broader agricultural economy.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
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The system, currently a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, now has a 90% chance of development within the next seven days, according to the latest forecast.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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