flinty

[flin-tee]

adjective

flintier, flintiest 

1. composed of, containing, or resembling flint, especially in hardness.

2. unyielding; unmerciful; obdurate.

   a flinty heart.

flinty

/ ˈflɪntɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling flint

2. hard or cruel; obdurate; unyielding

Other Word Forms

• flintily adverb
• flintiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of flinty¹

First recorded in 1530–40; flint + -y ¹

Example Sentences

But there is still a combination of flinty determination and composure under pressure that has restricted England to just eight victories in 46 meetings across more than a century.

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"It's a big old cheese -- there's a lot going on. The texture is beautiful: it's flinty as you break it apart; the crystalline in there are so delicate," he said.

Read more on Barron's

No. But he’s the symbol of Springsteen here, and he captures the star’s flinty gaze and rock ‘n’ roll rasp while performing the songs, bringing his own intense soulfulness to the role.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Neither is he the flinty survivor or gruff hero playing God that other medical dramas love to hold up.

Read more on Salon

The songs had a flinty exterior and a troubled tone.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• steely 
• stony