hardliners
|hard-line-ers|
🇺🇸
/ˈhɑrdˌlaɪnərz/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɑːdˌlaɪnəz/
(hardliner)
uncompromising stance
Etymology
'hardliner' originates from English, a compound of 'hard' (meaning 'firm, strict') + 'line' (as in 'hard line', meaning a strict policy) plus the agentive suffix '-er'.
'hard-line' developed as an adjective in English in the 20th century to describe uncompromising policies; adding the agentive suffix '-er' formed 'hardliner' to denote a person who holds or advocates such views.
Initially it meant 'one who advocates a hard line (strict policy)', and over time the core meaning has remained essentially the same as 'an uncompromising person or faction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or group that insists on a strict, uncompromising adherence to a policy or set of principles, especially in politics.
Hardliners in the party opposed the proposed compromise.
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Noun 2
members of a faction who resist negotiations or reform and favor strict enforcement of policies or hard measures.
Hardliners blocked talks and demanded stricter measures.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 09:04