Dictionary
hard–boiled
adjective \-ˈbȯi(-ə)ld\
of an egg : boiled until all the inside parts have become solid
: not feeling or showing emotions such as affection or kindness : emotionally tough
: having a tough detective as the main character
Full Definition of HARD-BOILED
1
a : devoid of sentimentality : tough <a hard–boiled drill sergeant> b : of, relating to, or being a detective story featuring a tough unsentimental protagonist and a matter-of-fact attitude towards violence
2
: hardheaded, practical <hard–boiled business decisions>
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First Known Use of HARD-BOILED
1886
Related to HARD-BOILED
- Synonyms
- affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard-boiled, hard-hearted, heartless, indurate, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, insensitive, ironhearted, merciless, obdurate, pachydermatous, pitiless, remorseless, ruthless, slash-and-burn, soulless, stony (also stoney), stonyhearted, take-no-prisoners, thick-skinned, uncharitable, unfeeling, unmerciful, unsparing, unsympathetic
- Antonyms
- charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted
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