hard-line
- adjective
- /ˈhɑrdˌlaɪn/
- Literature
- The Egyptian government adopted and maintained a hard-line approach to the Gama'a al-Islamiyya, rejecting any possibility of negotiations.
- hard-line policy
- hard-line stance
- hard-line regime
The only flies in the ointment are Snap, Crackle and Pop, who are all hard line communists.
- The only flies in the ointment are Snap, Crackle and Pop, who are all hard line communists.
- And they were always the more aggressive, but professional, you know, the real hard line people.
- There's some guys and that's up to them how they do it, but they're slightly more hard line.
Examples
-
But ending the trade sanctions would be a blow to the hard-line leaders who are most at odds with the Iranian public.
Academic text (2001) -
Public opinion, however, had turned against Pullman for his hard-line stance on his workers.
Academic text (2009) -
But a hard-line imperial grand strategy runs the risk that history will repeat itself.
Academic text (2002) -
The actions of the hard-line mliitary regime are the cause of increasing international concern.
-
We're now dealing with a hard-line Soviet government, perhaps with Khrushchev as a puppet head, perhaps not.
Fiction book (2000) -
Beijing's new hard-line policy developed more effective security measures and began limiting further religious and cultural liberalization.
Academic text (1998) -
The popular mood was sour, and Iranians blamed their government's hard-line policies, especially its isolation from the United States.
Academic text (2008) -
In 1979, a pro-Western and Israel-friendly shah was replaced by the hard-line, anti-Israel theocrats of the Iranian Islamic Revolution.
Academic text (2012) -
Once the president adopted Brzezinski's hard-line foreign policy frame, Brzezinski was in a stronger position vis-à-vis Vance.
Academic text (2002) -
The mayor took a hard-line stance on crime, refusing to consider any leniency for offenders.
Synonyms
Needing a lot of effort and often strict or severe
Not allowing any exceptions and requiring rules to be followed exactly
Not willing to change one's mind even when others disagree
Not willing to change ideas or ways of doing things
Not willing to change opinions or demands, even if it causes problems
Very unwilling to accept change or new ideas
Very strict and unwilling to change policies or make compromises
Very clear rules or limits that do not allow change
A practical, tough person who is not moved by feelings
Not willing to change views or agree with others
Refusing to change your mind even when shown evidence
Very strict and demanding about rules or work
Unwilling to change bad habits or beliefs
A person with very firm political beliefs who does not change
Antonyms
How Firm
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Hard-line joins hard (meaning 'firm' or 'very strict') and line (meaning a 'position' or 'limit'), like a strong line you refuse to cross. So a hard-line person keeps a strict, unchanging position in politics or talks.