as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
there is no bright-line rule governing the issue
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Recent Examples of bright-line
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
Because there are no bright-line rules for arguing fair use, Anthropic would need to present a strong case for its situation — likely involving the development of AI and the need for innovation.
—Tatjana Paterno, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Because some amount of discretion is needed in adjudicating these disputes, the absence of bright-line rules is a positive development.
—Robert Litan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2016
The route to success in arguing a case before Justice O’Connor lay not in invoking legal doctrine or bright-line rules, but in marshaling the facts to demonstrate a decision’s potential impact.
—Linda Greenhouse, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
Because there are no bright-line rules for arguing fair use, Anthropic would need to present a strong case for its situation — likely involving the development of AI and the need for innovation.
—Tatjana Paterno, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Because some amount of discretion is needed in adjudicating these disputes, the absence of bright-line rules is a positive development.
—Robert Litan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2016
The route to success in arguing a case before Justice O’Connor lay not in invoking legal doctrine or bright-line rules, but in marshaling the facts to demonstrate a decision’s potential impact.
—Linda Greenhouse, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright-line
Adjective
-
Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In its wildest moments, Coogler’s film seems like a collision of Lovecraft Country with True Blood, though more obvious comparisons will likely be drawn to From Dusk Till Dawn.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For over 20 years, her unmistakable voice has been the soundtrack to countless lives, blending gospel music a powerful message of faith.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Then the unmistakable gobble of a tom rattled in from our right.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As a result, the union met with Carr on Monday in apparent hopes that Carr, who has promised tight scrutiny of the merger, uses his muscle to achieve measures that protect workers.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With these women having formidable 400-meter performances, there was no clear sign of who would reign victorious.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
That was clear in Miami this week when Alonso belted a grand slam on Monday and a three-run homer on Wednesday.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The economic case for implementing those other policies is more straightforward than the case for tariffs.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Getting to their stadium is mostly straightforward with the Gtech Community Stadium, which has a capacity of under 18,000 and opened in 2020, sitting at the side of Kew Bridge.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The title drop, when a line of dialogue references the film’s title, is a delicate art with a distinct cult following.—
Donald Liebenson,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The New Yorker received the National Magazine Award for photography, winning for images illustrating three very distinct stories.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet, no effort to thoughtfully manage Medicaid premiums is evident, particularly at a time when Congress has its eyes set on cutting this line item nationally, disproportionately impacting New York.—
Eric J. Gertler,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Chelsea provided six of England’s 11 starters (Hampton, Bronze, Bright, Niamh Charles, Keira Walsh and Lauren James), and those strong dynamics forged among players who train together every day are evident.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And the vague calculation could have broad implications for countries America depends on for goods — and the foreign companies that supply them.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The cuts are part of a broader effort to trim the Pentagon's $850 billion budget.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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