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
When the choice is between the CPM and something other than the CUT method or a CUT-like unspecified method, the bright-line comparability requirements imposed by reg.
—
Ryan Finley, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Ryan Finley, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
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
-
The old gunslinger makes the most of an AFC without an obvious favorite and rides off after one last trip into the playoffs, this one coming with a postseason win.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Neural activation and event consolidation seem too bureaucratic, even obvious.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
This connection with Nashville’s past and future gives the patient experience a sense of character, privacy, and unmistakable identity.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
The undercurrent here is unmistakable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Georgia city’s northwest Buckhead neighborhood has been overrun in the last couple of weeks by empty, driverless ride-share vehicles due to an apparent routing behavior issue.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Their apparent approach will culminate in a spectacular conjunction on June 9, when the two brightest planets in the night sky appear exceptionally close together after sunset.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, its clear, three-syllable song, often repeated during the breeding season, is easy to remember.—
Christopher Gangemi,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
What’s clear in hearing Tuch talk is that the decision isn’t going to be solely about money.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Jamie Gittens, too, is a straightforward winger and has had a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge, struggling for a place due to form and often fitness.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Luxury credit cards are notorious for offering valuable benefits that are often less than straightforward.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Patricia Peck, a council member of Brazil’s Data Protection Authority and author of 46 books on law and technology, said the country’s executive and judicial branches have pushed for big techs to be proactive against crimes online despite evident stagnation of the debate in congress.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
-
Finally, after my sister had been hacking away for three minutes or so, one man stood, stared, anger evident on his face, and stomped away.—
Tom Levenson,
Time,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
With two distinct waves of iPhone 18 handsets arriving, Apple can leverage this to their advantage, bringing more users to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max handsets, disrupting Android’s Mobile World Congress launch cycle, and giving the iPhone 18 a clear run as its consumer-friendly champion.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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Through a combination of archival footage, interviews with surviving contemporaries, and many, many photos, the film attempts to get to the bottom of Avedon’s distinct knack for capturing celebrities at their very best.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The design required the production team to bring a broad range of understandings, everything from electromagnetism, solenoid latches, lever arm weight multiplication, spring hinges, DMX triggers, foam fabrication, and sculpture.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
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Given how oversold the stock is, combined with the sheer force of the broader market rally, that modest move is highly achievable.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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