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playing hardball

ADJECTIVE

effective

Synonyms

STRONGEST

active adequate compelling competent direct efficient forceful impressive potent powerful practical successful useful valid

STRONG

effectual efficacious

WEAK

able big-wheel capable cogent convincing emphatic energetic forcible having lead in pencil live moving on the ball operative persuasive powerhouse producing resultant serviceable serving sound striking telling trenchant virtuous wicked yielding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

helpless impotent inadequate incapable incompetent ineffective inefficient insufficient unable useless weak worthless

STRONG

unproductive unsuccessful

WEAK

fruitless inoperative

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.

Six years after the settlement, Dundon and his associates are playing hardball in negotiations with state and city leaders to secure public money to revamp Portland’s Moda Center.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

Still, he wasn’t surprised to see business leaders start playing hardball.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

It’s the latest indication that Mr. Musk is playing hardball to cut costs at the social media company.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2022

Maybe it's playing hardball to try to get the best possible compromise with Brussels.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2021

Glendale, by then fatigued by the Coyotes saga, had started playing hardball with sports leagues and as a result almost all Super Bowl events that year were moved by the NFL to neighboring Phoenix.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2021

playing hardball

Example Sentences

Related Words