hard-nosed
Tough and unsentimental
Hard-nosed describes someone tough, practical, and unwilling to be swayed by sentiment.
A hard-nosed negotiator won't budge on terms.
A hard-nosed journalist pursues facts regardless of whose feelings get hurt.
The word suggests shrewd realism over idealism: hard-nosed business decisions, a hard-nosed approach to budgeting.
True to life
- practicalSuited for real use
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- businesslikePractical and methodical
- unsentimentalLacking emotional softness
shrewd · matter-of-fact · down-to-earth · sensible · levelheaded · clear-sighted · sober · rational
Fixed in purpose
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- doggedStubbornly persevering
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
unflinching · unwavering · persevering · single-minded · driven · focused · committed · dedicated
Refusing to give way
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
intransigent · immovable · unbending · rigid · bullheaded · pigheaded · mulish · headstrong
Rigorous, without flexibility
- demandingRequiring great effort
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
exacting · rigorous · unforgiving · disciplinarian · authoritarian · unbending · stringent · tough-minded
Lacking any compassion
- cutthroatViciously competitive or murderous
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- steelyHard and unwavering
relentless · bare-knuckle · unsparing · cold-blooded · fierce · ferocious · bruising · combative
realistic
True to life
- practicalSuited for real use
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- businesslikePractical and methodical
unsentimental · shrewd · matter-of-fact · down-to-earth · sensible · levelheaded · clear-sighted · sober · rational · objective
resolute
Fixed in purpose
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- doggedStubbornly persevering
steadfast · unflinching · unwavering · persevering · single-minded · driven · focused · committed · dedicated · relentless
unyielding
Refusing to give way
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
adamant · intransigent · immovable · unbending · rigid · bullheaded · pigheaded · mulish · headstrong · willful
strict
Rigorous, without flexibility
austere · exacting · rigorous · unforgiving · disciplinarian · authoritarian · unbending · stringent · tough-minded · unsmiling
ruthless
Lacking any compassion
- cutthroatViciously competitive or murderous
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- mercilessShowing no clemency
steely · relentless · bare-knuckle · unsparing · cold-blooded · fierce · ferocious · bruising · combative · pitiless
- personalitiesintrovert, optimist, extrovert, pessimist, idealist
- strictsevere, stern, harsh, rigid, firm
- tenacitydetermined, persistence, persistent, perseverance, determination
hard-nosedsofthearted
Readily feeling sympathy
tenderhearted · sentimental · compassionate · soft · merciful
hard-nosedidealistic
Pursuing unrealistic standards
unrealistic · naive · starry-eyed · dreamy · impractical
hard-nosedyielding
Bending under pressure
accommodating · flexible · easy-going · pliable · compliant