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.

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

The Gunners would, in all likelihood, end up as unpopular, unloved champions as their hard-nosed approach comes under increasingly unflattering scrutiny.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

It was a hard-nosed faith, but they kept faith, and they got to Brown v.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

Park’s hard-nosed approach to his themes, his ability to elicit strong performances and his deft touch with complex material have built his lofty reputation.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

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