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
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
Because there are no bright-line rules for arguing fair use, Anthropic would need to present a strong case for its situation — likely involving the development of AI and the need for innovation.
—Tatjana Paterno, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Because some amount of discretion is needed in adjudicating these disputes, the absence of bright-line rules is a positive development.
—Robert Litan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2016
The route to success in arguing a case before Justice O’Connor lay not in invoking legal doctrine or bright-line rules, but in marshaling the facts to demonstrate a decision’s potential impact.
—Linda Greenhouse, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023
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
Whatever its justification, the explicit reference requirement is not the kind of straightforward, bright-line test that the Fiat judgment and Kokott’s Amazon opinion present it to be.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 17 July 2023
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
Because there are no bright-line rules for arguing fair use, Anthropic would need to present a strong case for its situation — likely involving the development of AI and the need for innovation.
—Tatjana Paterno, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Because some amount of discretion is needed in adjudicating these disputes, the absence of bright-line rules is a positive development.
—Robert Litan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Mar. 2016
The route to success in arguing a case before Justice O’Connor lay not in invoking legal doctrine or bright-line rules, but in marshaling the facts to demonstrate a decision’s potential impact.
—Linda Greenhouse, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023
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
Whatever its justification, the explicit reference requirement is not the kind of straightforward, bright-line test that the Fiat judgment and Kokott’s Amazon opinion present it to be.
—Ryan Finley, Forbes, 17 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright-line
Adjective
-
If Hollywood waves are the definition of classic hair, then the makeup equivalent is certainly obvious.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
9 Feb. 2025
-
With New York Fashion Week underway, the most obvious place to scout for fresh haircut inspiration would be backstage.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
refinery29.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In talking to more than 20 people about Johnson’s background and rise through the business, two things were unmistakable.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Sivan’s love of tradition and craftsmanship was unmistakable and his collection will be a welcome addition to retail this fall.—
Layla Ilchi,
WWD,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The film’s general rigidity and lack of thrills become more apparent when Levi accidentally falls into the gorge.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The Sixers lose to all sorts of teams, with no apparent traits that should target Philadelphia’s weakness.—
Jared Weiss,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What is clear is that the offseason is now over, spring training is underway and the Yankees have done nothing to replace Torres.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Now that Bregman is on board, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge, yet there are still questions to be answered.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But Philadelphia, say the Chiefs, run a different, more straightforward version of the tush push, with Hurts using the leverage of his offensive line to burrow forward.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
-
However, receiving aid after a disaster is not straightforward.—
Uma Raja,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
With her appointment, Smith brings not just expertise but also a distinct vision.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
11 Feb. 2025
-
According to studies, there are over 10,000 identifiable ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious groups in the world (and according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, indigenous peoples alone account for approximately 5,000 distinct cultures).—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His performance in junior open-wheel racing is evident from his title win in the 2018 USF Pro 2000 Championship and his P2 finish in the 2019 Indy Lights series.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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And when the crosses did come on — Alex Iwobi also delivered eight from the other wing — the extra body Nuno wanted in defence was not always evident.—
Paul Taylor,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His remarks come as Trump critics have continued to raise concerns about recent actions by the DOJ, including Bondi issuing a directive to review the federal prosecution of Trump as part of a broader initiative to overhaul the DOJ, which Trump has long claimed is biased against conservatives.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Overall, Israel is also still pursuing the broader goal of causing regime change in Iran, one of the recent US intelligence reports says.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bright-line
Cite this Entry
“Bright-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright-line. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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