heavy-handed
adjective
heavy-hand·ed
ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: showing a lack of skill : clumsy
The effect achieved is so subtle that, in contrast, much twentieth-century paintwork seems crude and heavy-handed.—
Elizabeth Lambert
Elizabeth Lambert2
: oppressive, harsh
a heavy-handed approach to crime
heavy-handedly
adverb
heavy-handedness
noun
Examples of heavy-handed in a Sentence
the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation
felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant
Recent Examples on the Web
The heavy-handed response to the false alarm has sparked outrage in the community, with Allen’s grandfather Lamont Davis demanding accountability.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Critics across the European Union have called out Serbian security forces for a heavy-handed response against the protesters.
—Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The 33-year-old was heavy-handed with her blush, giving herself the rosy flush of someone who’s just spent an hour in front of an open fire, a glass of red wine in hand.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
These have been replaced by an endless monotone of heavy-handed highs.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Critics across the European Union have called out Serbian security forces for a heavy-handed response against the protesters.
—Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The 33-year-old was heavy-handed with her blush, giving herself the rosy flush of someone who’s just spent an hour in front of an open fire, a glass of red wine in hand.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
These have been replaced by an endless monotone of heavy-handed highs.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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