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hardball definition

☆ hard·ball (härd′bôl′)

noun

    1. a kind of baseball characterized by hard-thrown overhand pitching
    2. the ball typically used in this game; baseball (sense )
  2. any ruthless, aggressive, highly competitive form of politics, business, etc.: esp. in the phrase play hardball, to engage in some activity in a ruthless, highly competitive way

adjective

of or characterized by ruthlessness, competitiveness, coercion, etc. hardball business practices

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

hardball Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • play: He wants to play hardball on union negotiations, well he has come up with someone who knows how the game is really played.

Adjective modifier

  • political: WASHINGTON -- It took a dose of political hardball in Congress nearly two decades ago to launch Boston's Big Dig.

Modifies a noun

  • tactic: Indeed, the Mainline churches are facing hardball tactics.
hardball usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"hardball." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/hardball>

APA Style

hardball. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/hardball

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