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Definition of hardnosed

hardnosed

/ˌhɑːrdˈnoʊzd/
hard · nosed
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hardnosed Lexical Profile

hardnosed Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Realistic, tough-minded, and unsentimental, especially in business or negotiations.

Example

"The union hired a hardnosed negotiator to secure better benefits for the workers."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for hardnosed

• Nearby Words

hardliner
hardly
hardness
hardnosed
hardraw
hardraw falls
hardrock

Word Origin & Etymology

Originally used in the late 19th century as a literal description for hunting dogs with a poor sense of smell or horses resistant to bit pressure, the figurative sense of being tough-minded emerged in American English in the 1920s.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hardnosed. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hardnosed
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