hard-ass
Uncompromising tough person
A hard-ass is someone who is strict, uncompromising, and demanding—typically a boss, coach, teacher, or authority figure who refuses to make exceptions or show leniency.
The term can be mildly vulgar but is common in casual speech.
It functions both as a noun and as an adjective (often hyphenated): My drill sergeant was a total hard-ass; She has a hard-ass management style.
The term sometimes carries grudging respect for someone's toughness.
Rigorous, without flexibility
- demandingRequiring great effort
- toughDurable and strong
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- drill sergeantTrains raw recruits harshly
taskmaster · authoritarian · no-nonsense · inflexible · rigid · harsh · stern · exacting
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- hardheadedStubbornly unyielding or practical
difficult · uncooperative · intractable · unmovable · defiant · contrary · ornery · cantankerous
strict
Rigorous, without flexibility
- demandingRequiring great effort
- toughDurable and strong
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
drill sergeant · taskmaster · authoritarian · no-nonsense · inflexible · rigid · harsh · stern · exacting · unyielding
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
hardheaded · difficult · uncooperative · intractable · unmovable · defiant · contrary · ornery · cantankerous · mulish
hard-asspushover
Easily defeated opponent
softie · soft touch · easy mark · doormat · lenient
hard-asssweetheart
Affectionate name for beloved
teddy bear · gentle soul · marshmallow · pussycat · warm and fuzzy
hard-asssweetheart
Affectionate name for beloved
teddy bear · softy · gentle soul · warm · nurturing
hard, ass, harder, hardest, hardly, hardness, harden, hardened, hardening