flinty
Stern and unfeeling
Flinty describes something hard and unyielding, like flint—the stone that produces sparks when struck.
A flinty expression or flinty gaze reveals no warmth or sympathy.
Flinty determination suggests tough resolve.
The word often characterizes people who are stern, unsparing, or emotionally guarded: a flinty New England grandmother who never hugged anyone.
Hard and unwavering
- hardFirm or demanding
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- obdurateStubbornly refusing to change
- unbendingRefusing to change position
uncompromising · inflexible · implacable · stern · rigid · resolute · iron-willed · unrelenting
Fine-grained siliceous stone
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- quartzCrystalline silicon dioxide
- noduleRounded small lump
- chalkSoft sedimentary writing stone
prehistoric · arrowhead · tool · knapping · lithic · stone-age · rock · mineral
Held in reserve
- starkSevere and unadorned
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- bleakDreary and without cheer
hard · bare · stern · grim · unsparing · harsh · rugged · ascetic
Hard and unwavering
- icyFrozen or unfriendly
- stonyRocky or emotionless
- glacialOf frozen rivers
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
harsh · severe · pitiless · merciless · unsympathetic · callous · stony-faced · expressionless
steely
Hard and unwavering
unbending · uncompromising · inflexible · implacable · stern · rigid · resolute · iron-willed · unrelenting · tough
chert
Fine-grained siliceous stone
chalk · prehistoric · arrowhead · tool · knapping · lithic · stone-age · rock · mineral · hard
spare
Held in reserve
bleak · hard · bare · stern · grim · unsparing · harsh · rugged · ascetic · spartan
steely
Hard and unwavering
unfeeling · harsh · severe · pitiless · merciless · unsympathetic · callous · stony-faced · expressionless · impassive
piercing
Penetrating or very sharp
penetrating · glinting · steely · razor-sharp · biting · pointed · shrewd · acute
spark
Tiny fiery particle
- tinderCombustible material for ignition
- kindlingMaterial for starting fires
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
friction · firesteel · ignition · steel · musket · tinderbox · lighter · ember · combustion · smolder
flintysofthearted
Readily feeling sympathy
tenderhearted · warmhearted · tender · soft · gentle
flintylenient
Tolerant of faults
indulgent · permissive · forbearing · tolerant · lax
- Fred Flintstone
- flint and steelSpark-producing ignition pair
- Wilma Flintstone
- flintlock pistolSpark-fired antique handgun
- flintlock rifleSpark-fired antique firearm
- flint toolsKnapped stone implements
flint, flints, flintlock, flintiness, flintier, flintiest, flintstone