hardball
noun
hard·ball
ˈhärd-ˌbȯl 
1
: baseball
2
: forceful uncompromising methods employed to gain an end
played political hardball
Examples of hardball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All four teams appear to be playing hardball because the league's salary-cap landscape gives them most of the leverage.
—
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The hundreds of women trying out donned traditional hardball duds with black numbers on pieces of white paper pinned to their torsos.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
There might be other teams that want to trade for the veteran, especially before the season begins, but the Falcons could be playing hardball on the asking price.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The Majesticks are most acutely feeling the impact of LIV playing hardball.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardball
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
The hundreds of women trying out donned traditional hardball duds with black numbers on pieces of white paper pinned to their torsos.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025
There might be other teams that want to trade for the veteran, especially before the season begins, but the Falcons could be playing hardball on the asking price.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The Majesticks are most acutely feeling the impact of LIV playing hardball.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardball
Cite this Entry
“Hardball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardball. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share