hardline
/ˌhɑːdˈlaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈɑrdlˌaɪn] /ˌhɑːrdˈlaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [hˈɑrdlˌaɪn] /ˈhärd-ˈlīn How to pronounce hard-line (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˌhɑːd ˈlaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈɑrdlˌaɪn] /ˌhɑːrd ˈlaɪn/ (ame, ipa)
hardline — adjective
- hardlinepositive
- more hardlinecomparative
- most hardlinesuperlative
1. holding or showing a very tough position that leaves little room for compromise
holding or showing a very tough position that leaves little room for compromise or change
The minister gave a hardline speech about border checks at the rally.
hardline + speech about policy
Camila backed a hardline plan to close bars earlier at night.
hardline + plan
Parents rejected the school's hardline rule on missed homework.
After months of talks, the union stayed hardline on pay cuts.
Selim sounded hardline when reporters asked about early prisoner release.
- uncompromising
very close in meaning, but slightly more formal and often broader than policy disputes
- tough
more general and does not always imply refusing to change position
- strict
often about enforcing rules rather than defending a political or public stance
- hawkish
narrower and mainly used for aggressive views on war, defense, or security
- moderate
willing to avoid extreme positions
- flexible
ready to change or adapt when needed
- conciliatory
trying to reduce conflict and reach agreement
文法句型
hardline + noun
be hardline on + issue
stay hardline on + issue
用法筆記
Often describes positions, leaders, rules, or policies in public disputes. It commonly appears with on or about followed by the issue that someone refuses to soften on.
常見錯誤
hardline — noun
1. a very severe attitude or policy that gives almost no ground to other people
a very severe attitude or policy that gives almost no ground to other people
Voters were tired of the party's hardline on rent controls.
hardline on + issue
The minister's hardline over the strike upset even close allies.
Years of hardline on drug cases filled the local prisons.
Lan's hardline against street camping drew loud protests outside city hall.
Business owners praised the mayor's hardline on late-night noise.
- hard stance
close in meaning and often used for a severe public position
- strict approach
broader and less tied to conflict or refusal to compromise
- zero-tolerance policy
narrower and specifically about punishing any violation
- moderation
a less extreme way of dealing with a problem
- compromise
a willingness to give up part of a demand
- soft line
a deliberately less severe public position
文法句型
hardline on + issue
hardline over + issue
take a hardline on + issue
用法筆記
Usually appears with on, over, or against plus the disputed issue. It is common in politics and public debate, and it often sounds critical rather than neutral.