hardballed
Negotiated without compromise
Hardballed is the past tense of hardball used as a verb, meaning to play rough or use aggressive, uncompromising tactics—especially in negotiations or politics.
From the noun hardball, which contrasts with softball to suggest serious, no-holds-barred competition: The union hardballed management until they got the contract they wanted.
She hardballed her way through the deal.
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- deal-makingNegotiating agreements between parties
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- counterofferAlternative terms proposed back
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
stalemate · deadlock · stonewalling · demands · concessions · walkout · pressure tactics · zero-sum
Urged with insistence
- bulliedRepeatedly mistreated by aggressors
- intimidatedMade fearful by threat
- strong-armedCoerced through force
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
manipulated · cornered · steamrolled · pushed · squeezed · arm-twisted · browbeaten · railroaded
Exerting strong pressure
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- boldCourageous and daring
- directUndeviating or to guide
demanding · insistent · commanding · confrontational · ruthless · cutthroat · merciless · cold-blooded
Unable to bend
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- immovableIncapable of being shifted
rigid · intransigent · unbending · firm · steadfast · obstinate · implacable · unrelenting
bargaining
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- deal-makingNegotiating agreements between parties
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- counterofferAlternative terms proposed back
ultimatum · stalemate · deadlock · stonewalling · demands · concessions · walkout · pressure tactics · zero-sum · brinkmanship
pressured
Urged with insistence
- bulliedRepeatedly mistreated by aggressors
- intimidatedMade fearful by threat
- strong-armedCoerced through force
forced · manipulated · cornered · steamrolled · pushed · squeezed · arm-twisted · browbeaten · railroaded · muscled
forceful
Exerting strong pressure
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- boldCourageous and daring
direct · demanding · insistent · commanding · confrontational · ruthless · cutthroat · merciless · cold-blooded · calculating
inflexible
Unable to bend
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- stubbornRefusing to change course
immovable · rigid · intransigent · unbending · firm · steadfast · obstinate · implacable · unrelenting · hardline
hardballedcompromised
Made vulnerable to harm
accommodated · conceded · yielded · capitulated · played nice
- played hardballCompeted without mercy
- playing hardballUsing ruthless tactics
- play hardballCompete without mercy