Synonyms of hard-nosed

hard-nosed

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈnōzd 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adamant
• stubborn
• steadfast
• hardened
• uncompromising
• hardheaded
• intransigent
• implacable
• headstrong
• opinionated
• bullheaded
• obstinate
• unbending
• unrelenting
• unyielding
• obdurate
• dogged
• obsessive
• hard
• willful
• inflexible
• mulish
• pertinacious
• immovable
• pigheaded
• pat
• adamantine
• perverse
• strict
• persistent
• relentless
• ossified
• determined
• tenacious
• stiff-necked
• self-willed
• self-opinionated
• inconvincible
• unflinching
• hard-line
• stern
• deaf to reason
• rigid
• iron
• wayward
• cantankerous
• wrongheaded
• defiant
• inexorable
• single-minded
• resolved
• severe
• hidebound
• hard-shell
• narrow-minded
• firm
• indomitable
• uncooperative
• recalcitrant
• anal-retentive
• bloody-minded
• stouthearted
• intractable
• hell-bent
• insubordinate
• contrary
• contumacious
• mutinous
• disobedient
• unruly
• invincible
• inveterate
• refractory
• unmanageable
• insurgent
• exacting
• demanding
• unconquerable
• cussed
• set
• ungovernable
• confirmed
• unregenerate
• froward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• amenable
• agreeable
• compliant
• pliant
• acquiescent
• pliable
• obedient
• docile
• complying
• submissive
• tractable
• yielding
• willing
• receptive
• responsive
• reasonable
• accepting
• placable
• relenting
• manageable
• temperate
• subservient
• slavish
• persuadable
• governable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hard-nosed

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

Golden State has used hard-nosed defense to build its foundation but was too physical against Phoenix as the Mercury attempted 43 free throws, making 32. — Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

But if a contender needs a hard-nosed, do-it-all weapon for a playoff push, don't be surprised if his phone rings. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026