Jump To:

• 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.

---

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.

---

hard line British  

noun

1. 1. an uncompromising course or policy

   2.  hardline.  ( as modifier )

      a hardline policy

---

hard line Idioms  

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

---

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

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

Kalshi has taken a hard line against insider trading, while Barron’s has previously reported that Polymarket social media accounts have promoted instances of potential insider trading occurring on Polymarket.

From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026

His lips pressed into a hard line, all signs of humor gone.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

The last time Hall saw him was at the spartan Oakland cottage that served as headquarters for their hard-line group, Stop AI.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 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

But that same day, religious leaders across the country called for a hard-line approach to unapproved maritime traffic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 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

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