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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

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

Noboa, a staunch ally of the US president, has taken a hard line on drug-related violence and has joined a US-led alliance aimed at fighting cartels.

From BBC ● May 30, 2026

Its delegation in the talks includes officials known for taking an especially hard line with the West.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

Miles’s eyebrows set in a hard line above his eyes.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

BBC Sport understands Premier League referees will not take the same hard-line approach.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

He is already campaigning on a hard-line pledge to restore state authority, and increase police numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026

You might remember Ahmadinejad, Iran’s hard-line former president, for the anti-American harangues he delivered at the U.N. while not wearing a tie.

From Slate ● May 23, 2026

His hard-line immigration policies have proven to be particularly unpopular, with six in 10 residents disapproving of his actions, according to the survey, a stark contrast to the county’s historical stance on the issue.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

Closing the border between East and West Berlin was not the idea of the KGB, the Soviet army, or anyone in the Kremlin: It was the brainchild of Walter Ulbricht, East Germany's hard-line communist leader.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

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