hard-nosed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Known as an hard-nosed and aggressive operator, Williamson worked for former governors Jerry Brown and Gray Davis and mentored other women in politics.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Military training prepared him for the hard-nosed politics of running for city council in Jersey City, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Opinion will be divided on his decision to substitute Kinsky after only 17 minutes, between a coach saving the keeper from himself or a hard-nosed act that might kill a young player's career.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Good things have happened when people decided not to give up entirely and held on to that kind of hard-nosed faith.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

But he had been one hell of a runner, tough as leather, hard-nosed, and people around town still remembered him for that as if it had happened yesterday.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger