Upon a quick google search 'hard-boiled' means tough and cynical even though it doesn't say that this is a disapproving term. One of the synonyms of this word is 'hardened' which means 'very experienced in a particular job or activity and therefore not easily upset by its more unpleasant aspects' which seems like an admirable quality to have for likes of a soldier, militant or an inspector. But such a person would be labelled callous or uncaring about other people's feelings which is confusing me as this is unlikable quality to possess. Or is it that two different words can mean the same but still have different connotation?
Two examples:
That blood-shed would make even the most hard-boiled soldiers cry
(Positive connotation)The American Heritage Thesaurus defines hard-boiled, completely lacking in compassion (Negative
connotation).
Best Answer
Depends on how you like your eggs.
Different situations call for different attitudes. Hard-boiled would be hard for a young girl to take as a compliment. Unless she's your divorce attorney.
So yes, just like your examples, it has positive and negative connotations. It just depends on how you feel.