as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
there is no bright-line rule governing the issue
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Recent Examples of bright-line
Crafting bright-line tests that separate commodities from securities, or creating a new category, will be legally complex.
—
Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
There is no bright-line definition for hardship—it’s determined by the employer under the terms of the retirement plan and based on facts and circumstances.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
None of these cases, for instance, is likely to result in the full restoration of the bright-line rules established with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, rules based in part on the lessons of our battles against authoritarian monarchy in the seventeenth century.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Baron’s argument is, at first, the least problematic; the killing of his cousin is a bright-line injustice.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
And there’s one bright-line issue that many Northern Virginia Democrats said is fundamental to them: full Virginia funding for the Metro transit system.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024
The new draft guidelines are not bright-line laws or regulations, and US antitrust enforcement will continue to reflect longstanding legal precedents, senior administration officials emphasized Tuesday in a call with reporters.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 19 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright-line
Adjective
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For less obvious water damage, car owners might eventually smell mold or mildew.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
-
All of which raises an obvious question.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the magnitude of the moment is unmistakable.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands' sound.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The apparent hoaxes come amid heightened concern over campus safety following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Paramount’s apparent interest is no surprise since the company’s ambitious new CEO, David Ellison, has talked about a desire to strike further deals.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Barrett's clear statement on the 22nd Amendment carries significant weight given her position on the Supreme Court, which would likely be asked to rule on any attempt to circumvent the two-term limit.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Investigators found notebooks filled with hate, violent thoughts and admiration for mass murderers, showing clear signs of deep mental instability.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
How and why the Great North Run has remained and remains relevant is not linear or straightforward.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The logic for this belief is straightforward.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is not your father’s or grandfather’s Atherton High School football program, and never was that more evident than Tuesday’s practice at the school.—
Rich Barak,
Louisville Courier Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The care taken in preparing the food is evident.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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China’s three distinct tech phases China’s tech success over the past 20 years was really achieved in three phases.—
Rich Karlgaard,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Do a separate soil test for each distinct area of your yard, such as existing or future vegetable gardens, flower beds, and lawns, because the lab recommendations will depend on the type of plants in that area.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This framework emerged from the understanding that lasting financial performance depends on broader societal and environmental health.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Morgan Stanley’s team argues that headline economic data—nominal GDP, broad employment numbers—lag reality and often miss serious underlying weakness.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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