noun
- baseball as distinguished from softball
- uncompromising or ruthless methods or dealings
Usage: informal
Examples
- The kids switched from softball to hardball when they got older.
- He played hardball in high school and college.
- The negotiations turned into hardball when neither side would budge.
- She’s known for playing hardball in business deals.
- The coach taught them the differences between hardball and softball rules.
- The politician decided to play hardball with his opponents.
- They practice hardball every afternoon at the local diamond.