1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
a hard-boiled Puritan schoolmaster who was as unyielding as New England granite
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
made the hard-boiled business decision to downsize the company, thereby costing thousands of longtime employees their jobs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard-boiled
In a smaller pot of water over high heat, boil eggs, covered, until just hard-boiled, 7 minutes, then run under cold water.
—
Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2023
For lunch or dinner, top a salad with scrambled or hard-boiled eggs.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 Mar. 2023
This is outback noir — oblique, secretive and as hard-boiled as the ground is hard-baked — and Sen wears it well.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Feb. 2023
As Detective Munch, Mr. Belzer was brainy but hard-boiled, cynical but sensitive.
—Alex Traub, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2023
Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2023
For lunch or dinner, top a salad with scrambled or hard-boiled eggs.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 Mar. 2023
This is outback noir — oblique, secretive and as hard-boiled as the ground is hard-baked — and Sen wears it well.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Feb. 2023
As Detective Munch, Mr. Belzer was brainy but hard-boiled, cynical but sensitive.
—Alex Traub, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-boiled
Adjective
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But Harrison’s anti-expansionist successor, Grover Cleveland, abhorred the ruthless U.S. meddling in Hawaiian affairs.—
Robert W. Merry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
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The film follows Bryan, a Korean American teenager who wants out of his ruthless gang the Goblins, setting the stage for gang retribution against him.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Solar energy, smart home tech and open-air designs are more popular, too.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Learn about Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, smart irrigation, vegetable gardening, and flower species to attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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By enumerating the many merciless changes in our government since January, the Rev. Michael Pleger is not making a political pitch.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
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Waltz lends a slimy charisma to the merciless SS colonel, who gets a satisfying comeuppance via carving knife. 4.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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At this point in a description of a possible future technology, a hardheaded engineer loses interest.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
15 Nov. 2018
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Kayce sells Yellowstone Ranch for $1.25 an acre and Elsa Dutton rises from the dead to declare victory Kayce cryptically suggested the Yellowstone sale at the end of last week's episode, and the hardheaded financial wonder Beth loved the idea.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford have proven to be astute additions with the ability to alter the flow of games from the bench.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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However, if Means returns to anything close to his 2019 form, the Guardians will have made a very astute investment.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Now, more than ever, Johnson needs savvy, experienced pros who can smoothly execute his agenda.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
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Uncovering Smart Strategies With Financial Tech And AI To stay competitive in 2025, financial leaders must be tech savvy and leverage emerging financial technologies, including AI.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Subscribe Kuok Meng Wei, whose grandfather was once called the world’s shrewdest businessman by Forbes, is leading his family into what the 41-year-old describes as the hottest industry in decades.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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As seen through Leite’s hedonistic sensibilities, Brazil’s red-light districts vibrated with intoxicating samba and bohemian camaraderie; shrewd madams kept the police at bay, and clients did not dare mistreat the women.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Its sharp lines and stucco finish nod to traditional Mexican architecture, contrasting with the nearby rolling hills.—
Silvia Benedetti,
ARTnews.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Put on gloves: To protect your hands from sharp pieces.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-boiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-boiled. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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