heavy-handed

heavy–hand·ed

adj \-ˈhan-dəd\

Definition of HEAVY-HANDED

1

: clumsy

2

: oppressive, harsh

— heavy–hand·ed·ly adverb

— heavy–hand·ed·ness noun

First Known Use of HEAVY-HANDED

1647

Related to HEAVY-HANDED

Synonyms: austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, heavy-handed, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, stern, strict, tough

Antonyms: clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant

Related Words: demanding, exacting; uncharitable, unforgiving; adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding; dour, gruff; ascetic (also ascetical), monastic, monkish; browbeating, bullying; determined, firm, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, unflinching; dogged, intractable, obstinate, relentless

Near Antonyms: easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding; charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted; accepting, compromising, yielding; responsive, willing; acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

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