Skip to main content
hard-line

hard-line

21 7.2
Firm and unwilling to change views or plans, often in politics
  • adjective
  • /ˈhɑrdˌlaɪn/
  • Literature
translation icon : intransigente
  • 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.

Autoplay Next

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

hard
vshard-line
1.1

Needing a lot of effort and often strict or severe

refers to firm uncompromising positions in politics rather than general difficulty
strict
vshard-line
359 3.2

Not allowing any exceptions and requiring rules to be followed exactly

is about firm opinions or policies rather than rule enforcement
adamant
vshard-line
72 6.8

Not willing to change one's mind even when others disagree

is about firm policy positions rather than personal determination
rigid
vshard-line
70 4.2

Not willing to change ideas or ways of doing things

is a conscious, uncompromising stance in politics rather than inability
uncompromising
vshard-line
24 6.8

Not willing to change opinions or demands, even if it causes problems

is used especially for politics or negotiations rather than any situation
die-hard
vshard-line
22 7.9

Very unwilling to accept change or new ideas

is firm in negotiation or policy without stressing traditionalism
hardline
vshard-line
14 6.8

Very strict and unwilling to change policies or make compromises

is the same meaning but usually written with a hyphen
hard-and-fast
vshard-line
12 5.7

Very clear rules or limits that do not allow change

is used for firm people or policies rather than fixed rules
hard-nosed
vshard-line
12 7.2

A practical, tough person who is not moved by feelings

is firm over principles or policy rather than simply practical toughness
intransigent
vshard-line
8 8.1

Not willing to change views or agree with others

is the common political stance rather than a formal vocabulary term
hardheaded
vshard-line
6 6.7

Refusing to change your mind even when shown evidence

is a deliberate firm position in politics rather than mere stubbornness
hard-ass
vshard-line
  • Offensive
5 9.3

Very strict and demanding about rules or work

is used for principled, uncompromising policy rather than personal harshness
hard-core
vshard-line
3 7.5

Unwilling to change bad habits or beliefs

is about firm policy or stance rather than extremist behaviour
rock-ribbed
vshard-line
  • US
1 9.8

A person with very firm political beliefs who does not change

is firm without implying traditionalist or conservative ideology

Antonyms

155 3.4

Able to change or be changed to fit different situations

Willing to accept less to reach an agreement

How Firm

intransigent
8 8.1
hard-line
  • Literature
21 7.2
inflexible
11 4.7
strict
359 3.2
firm
28 1.0

Surface Forms

hard-line positive

Morphology

hard-line = hard + line (semi-transparent) = hard + line

The components 'hard' and 'line' are clear, but understanding 'line' as 'policy/stance' may not be obvious to all learners, so the compound is only partly predictable.

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.