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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

That is why Stormont ministers are now playing hardball ahead of the negotiations.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2024

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

There also remains some thought that the Browns are playing hardball with teams about Mayfield while Waton’s status for the 2022 season remains unknown.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2022