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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

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

Farage stressed Thomas and his party colleagues in Wales would set Welsh policy, saying he was "not a hard line dictator".

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2026

Now Musk, who has called himself a free-speech absolutist, while also vowing to take a hard line on child exploitation, faces growing calls for enforcement around the world and in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026

The NSA’s new director was in favor of the new policy, taking the hard line that “All official cryptanalysis is a type of activity that should be protected no matter how old it has become.”

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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

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

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

It messed her up for a few days, and she had to give herself the hard-line lectures all over again.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Related Words

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