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
Lewandowski also took a heavy-handed approach to distributing DHS contracts, Ainsley writes, insisting that any expenditure over $100,000 be signed off by himself and Noem.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
After a public outcry over the heavy-handed tactics of federal agents, which led to the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis, he was forced to back away from a major immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Not wanting to appear heavy-handed in either direction, the IOC generally tries to dodge these discussions and did so again last week.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Texas should prepare for the rise of artificial intelligence by embracing innovation while protecting citizens—through freedom-first policies, not heavy-handed regulation.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
After a public outcry over the heavy-handed tactics of federal agents, which led to the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis, he was forced to back away from a major immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Not wanting to appear heavy-handed in either direction, the IOC generally tries to dodge these discussions and did so again last week.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Texas should prepare for the rise of artificial intelligence by embracing innovation while protecting citizens—through freedom-first policies, not heavy-handed regulation.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
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 7 Mar. 2026.
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