Definition of Hardball

1. Noun. A no-nonsense attitude in business or politics. "They play hardball in the Senate"

Generic synonyms: Attitude, Mental Attitude

2. Noun. Baseball as distinguished from softball.
Generic synonyms: Baseball, Baseball Game
Antonyms: Softball

Definition of Hardball

1. Noun. (sports) In baseball, a type of ball and baseball game, as opposed to softball. ¹

2. Adjective. Tough or ruthless behavior, especially in combat, politics or business. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Hardball

1. baseball [n -S] - See also: baseball

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hardball

hard wheat
hard wired
hard work
hard worker
hard yakka
hard yards
hardback
hardbacked
hardbacks
hardbag
hardbags
hardbake
hardbakes
hardball (current term)
hardballer
hardballers
hardbeams
hardbill
hardbills
hardbitten
hardboard
hardboards
hardboil
hardboiled
hardboot
hardboots

Literary usage of Hardball

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the King's Courts at Westminster by Great Britain Court of King's Bench, Great Britain Court of Common Pleas (1799)
"... and although it may be true that the defendant originally took them at hardball, yet as he the plaintiff was unable to prove the taking there, ..."

2. Cases on Pleading by James Tower Keen (1905)
"... the defendant proved that he first and originally took them at hardball, in the parish of Warden, and was driving them through Market- street unto the ..."

3. A Treatise on the Law of Landlord and Tenant, as Administered in Ireland by John Smith Furlong (1845)
"... the defendant pleaded non cepit modo et forma, and proved the original seizure at hardball : the plaintiff, however, proved that he found his cattle(y) ..."

4. Hackoff.com: An Historic Murder Mystery Set in the Internet Bubble and Rubble by Tom Evslin (2006)
"They got no choice but we gotta play hardball." "You gonna play hardball?" Donna asks. "You ever know me to have soft balls? ..."

5. Vostok Station: Point of Impact by Kerry Plowright (2005)
"He had to admire the balls of whoever was playing hardball. Well, Russians could play hardball as well. The President looked keenly at his Chief of Defense. ..."

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