" brassbound "

1: not allowing for any exceptions or loosening of standards;

  * e.g., " ... a person of brassbound honesty "

•  Synonyms : 

•  cast-iron,

•  exacting,

•  hard-line,

•  inflexible,

•  rigid,

•  rigorous,

•  strict,

•  stringent,

•  uncompromising

•  Antonyms : 

•  flexible,

•  lax,

•  loose,

•  relaxed,

•  slack

2: tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions;

  * e.g., " ... the brassbound military leadership had failed to realize that this time the nation was fighting a different kind of war "

•  Synonyms : 

•  archconservative,

•  button-down,

•  conservative,

•  die-hard,

•  hidebound,

•  mossbacked,

•  old-fashioned,

•  old-line,

•  old-school,

•  orthodox,

•  paleoconservative,

•  reactionary,

•  standpat,

•  traditional,

•  traditionalistic,

•  ultraconservative,

•  unprogressive

•  Antonyms : 

•  broad-minded,

•  large-minded,

•  liberal,

•  nonconservative,

•  nonconventional,

•  nonorthodox,

•  nontraditional,

•  open-minded,

•  progressive,

•  unconventional,

•  unorthodox

3: displaying or marked by rude boldness;

  * e.g., " ... some brassbound upstart who thought that he could waltz in here and start issuing orders "

•  Synonyms : 

•  arch,

•  audacious,

•  bold,

•  bold-faced,

•  brash,

•  brassy,

•  brazen,

•  brazen-faced,

•  cheeky,

•  cocksure,

•  cocky,

•  fresh,

•  impertinent,

•  impudent,

•  insolent,

•  nervy,

•  sassy,

•  saucy,

•  wise

•  Antonyms : 

•  meek,

•  mousy,

•  retiring,

•  shy,

•  timid