hard-noses
Unyielding, stubborn types
Hard-noses is the plural of hard-nose, a person who is tough, uncompromising, and pragmatic rather than sentimental.
The term often appears in business or political contexts: The hard-noses in the budget office rejected the proposal.
As a verb, to hard-nose is to deal with something in a tough, unyielding manner.
Unable to bend
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- resoluteFixed in purpose
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
unbending · intransigent · steadfast · immovable · dogged · persistent · unflinching · unwavering
Showing no clemency
- cutthroatViciously competitive or murderous
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- pitilessLacking any compassion
- remorselessLacking guilt or pity
heartless · callous · brutal · harsh · unsparing · unfeeling · relentless · aggressive
True to life
- practicalSuited for real use
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
businesslike · levelheaded · matter-of-fact · objective · unsentimental · hardheaded · calculating · clear-eyed
Demanding great care
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- perfectionistOne demanding flawlessness
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- unforgivingShowing no leniency
critical · authoritative · stern · rigorous · taskmaster · disciplinarian · tough-minded · unsparing
inflexible
Unable to bend
unyielding · unbending · intransigent · steadfast · immovable · dogged · persistent · unflinching · unwavering · stubborn
merciless
Showing no clemency
- cutthroatViciously competitive or murderous
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- pitilessLacking any compassion
remorseless · heartless · callous · brutal · harsh · unsparing · unfeeling · relentless · aggressive · cold
realistic
True to life
- practicalSuited for real use
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
astute · businesslike · levelheaded · matter-of-fact · objective · unsentimental · hardheaded · calculating · clear-eyed · results-oriented
exacting
Demanding great care
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- perfectionistOne demanding flawlessness
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
unforgiving · critical · authoritative · stern · rigorous · taskmaster · disciplinarian · tough-minded · unsparing · stringent
hard-nosespushovers
Those easily persuaded
softies · patsies · doormats · easy marks · soft touches
hard-nosesidealists
Pursuers of perfect visions
dreamers · romantics · utopians · bleeding hearts · sentimentalists
hard-nosessoft touches
Gentle physical contact
bleeding hearts · sentimentalists · marshmallows · empaths · nurturers
hard-nose, hard-nosed, nose, noses, nosed, nosing, nosy, hard, harden