as in strict
not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards
a hard-line approach to the sentencing of repeat offenders
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard-line
Homan and Scott are no less hard-line on border and immigration enforcement than Noem and Lewandowski are.
—
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
But the sudden thaw in relations with Washington has fueled suspicion among hard-line chavistas that Rodríguez is abandoning the movement’s deeply anti-American ideology.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Some hard-line conservatives had pitched extending the CR for another year rather than negotiating with Democrats on new funding levels.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2026
Iranians have occasionally rallied around reformist candidates, but they, too, have been undermined by hard-line revolutionary purists.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
But the sudden thaw in relations with Washington has fueled suspicion among hard-line chavistas that Rodríguez is abandoning the movement’s deeply anti-American ideology.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Some hard-line conservatives had pitched extending the CR for another year rather than negotiating with Democrats on new funding levels.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2026
Iranians have occasionally rallied around reformist candidates, but they, too, have been undermined by hard-line revolutionary purists.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard-line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-line
Adjective
-
Freezer operations typically require specialized protective gear, shorter shifts, and strict exposure limits, all of which drive higher labor costs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These athletes spend their lives focusing on building physical strength through rigorous training and diets that are honed to provide the nutrients necessary to excel at their sport.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
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Every mortgage article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-line. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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