1
as in to draw
to shape with a hammer
medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
hammer a nail hammered the ball for a home run
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3
as in to pound
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
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4
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
the critics have long been hammering the stage actress for resorting to the same mixed bag of mannerisms over and over
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sledgehammer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Ancient Celestial Objects Likely Carved Two Grand Canyons on the Moon's Surface
Probing the Moon's Crust
Earlier unsuccessful efforts tried to hammer probes into the Moon’s crust.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Still, Sheridan climbs to the top rope again and drops another hammer shot.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
During a meeting at the White House with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump hammered Democratic Party lawmakers for the response to his March 6 speech to a joint session of Congress.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Ancient Celestial Objects Likely Carved Two Grand Canyons on the Moon's Surface
Probing the Moon's Crust
Earlier unsuccessful efforts tried to hammer probes into the Moon’s crust.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
As floodwaters from the Swannanoa River rose to stomach level inside their house on Sept. 27, Mills’ 24-year-old son hacked his way through the attic ceiling with a chef’s knife and a hammer so the family could get atop the roof.
—Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Still, Sheridan climbs to the top rope again and drops another hammer shot.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Hill’s budget proposal projects drawing 55.4% of the district’s budget from the state, 34.2% from the county, 6% from the federal government and 4.3% from other special sources.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2025
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Many guests will be drawn to a separate, 90-seat bar.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Joshua Hur hit a home run, Trey Ebel had a two-run double and Ethan Bingaman contributed an RBI triple.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Bobby Orr’s 100th point, 1970 The record: Orr establishes a new record by becoming the first defenseman to ever hit the 100-point mark, which was supposed to be hallowed territory reserved only for forwards.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Schumer has taken a public pounding from his party's base, not to mention House Democrats, since voting to keep the government open last week.—
Stephen Neukam,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
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Southern California was being pounded by a major storm Thursday morning, bringing evacuation warnings and fears of mudslides.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, the couple jokingly addressed the awkward interview in which Hilaria scolded Alec for interrupting her during a red carpet moment that has since gone viral.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
20 Mar. 2025
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Omari Hardwick scolded an interviewer who misquoted him in a seeming attempt to stir up drama between the actor and Power producer 50 Cent.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Yet simply revoking these programs is another example of Trump reacting to complicated issues with a sledgehammer approach.—
ORLANDO SENTINEL AND MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL BOARDS,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2025
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Its method of doing so is tantamount to hitting a fly with a sledgehammer.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These days, the Hall of Famer is forging a new, post-football path. ➤ Barry Sanders: Lions turnaround has been 'miraculous': Speaking of 1990s pro football icons, Sanders' electrifying runs filled highlight reels.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
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And each chose to forge an entirely new path forward, one that would eventually lead to industry disruption and community transformation.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Reacher star recently revealed that he was knocked unconscious while filming a fight scene for the Season 3 finale of his Prime Video series, which is now available to stream on the platform.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2025
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After a village Electoral Board ruling knocked Tinley Together off the ballot, a Cook County Circuit Court judge, in early January, reversed that ruling.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Marchand has crossed lines by licking players, or repeatedly punching a hockey pacifist like Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin in a final series.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
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Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis are licking their chops.—
Jeffrey Gedmin,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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