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• hard line
  hard line

  noun

  an uncompromising or unyielding stand, especially in politics.
• hard-line
  hard-line

  adjective

  adhering rigidly to a dogma, theory, or plan; uncompromising or unyielding.

hard line

¹ American  

noun

1. an uncompromising or unyielding stand, especially in politics.

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hard-line ² American  

[hahrd-lahyn] / ˈhɑrdˌlaɪn /

Or hardline

adjective

1. adhering rigidly to a dogma, theory, or plan; uncompromising or unyielding.

   hard-line union demands.

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hard line British  

noun

1. 1. an uncompromising course or policy

   2. hardline. ( as modifier )

      a hardline policy

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hard line Idioms  

1. A firm, uncompromising policy or position. For example, The President was taking a hard line on the budget. [c. 1960]

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Other Word Forms

• hardliner
  noun

Etymology

Origin of hard line¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Origin of hard-line²

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hard line hard-line

A poll published earlier in the week revealed that 56 percent of Canadians surveyed wanted their government to take a "hard line" and make no more concessions to Washington on trade.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Others are taking a hard line, telling authors that they won’t represent anyone who uses AI at all, even for research.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

However, it’s hard to believe that a megacorporation like Disney, which now essentially owns and controls all major media marketed to children, would draw a hard line at the smart device.

From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026

It’s a hard line to take given that you have a modest net worth and two kids.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

She walked straight for him, her mouth set in a hard line, and stopped just to the side of the door, as if she expected Toby to pull away.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Iran’s hard-line leaders came up with a different plan, according to Iranian and Arab officials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Murrill’s hard-line tactics, particularly in Brooks’ case, stand out among her peers in other states, said Jeffrey Gutman, a professor emeritus at the George Washington University Law School and a national expert on compensation funds.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

President Reagan, saying he is “a bit wiser” after two failed attempts to put a hard-line conservative on the Supreme Court, today picked federal appeals Judge Anthony M.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

A bar owner has said he is taking a "hard-line stance" on applications put in by parents trying to get jobs for their children.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Despite the hard-line choice Kennedy had made, he found Diem’s death shocking.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• hard-core
• militant
• staunch
• uncompromising
• unyielding