HARD-NOSED Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-nosed

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈnōzd

Definition of hard-nosed

as in adamant

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion the team's hard-nosed coach doesn't make exceptions for anybody

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hard-nosed In addition to his hard-nosed approach, Zahnd developed a reputation as a prosecutor with a keen sense of moral clarity. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 Setting the pace is key against the Valkyries, a team known for its hard-nosed defensive mentality. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Of course, Babcock was arguably Hyman’s biggest advocate in Toronto, rewarding his relentless, hard-nosed play with a prominent role. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Jake Tweten, Westlake, safety, senior A hard-nosed football player all the way around. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-nosed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-nosed

Adjective

Schnell was adamant that the film crew couldn’t provide any help to him.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
Lander was adamant that rezonings didn’t have to go the way of Williamsburg.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is a man of few words — and initially, few feelings, or so thinks Marianne — the steadfast Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum).

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
The poem continues with more verses about Burns’s steadfast love, but beyond that, nothing really happens.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

O’Brien’s Ted Keegan is a father, farmer and military veteran — a hardened man who’s spent much of his life following orders and keeping secrets.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
And yet, for a millennia after the fall of Rome, the world largely forgot about concrete, until, in the 18th century, an English mason found that mixing limestone and clay could form a paste that hardened underwater.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hardened

Browse Nearby Words

hardnose

hard-nosed

hardnoses

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“Hard-nosed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-nosed. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hard-nosed

adjective

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