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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pound
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sledgehammer
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
The historic event is held on the first Saturday in September every year at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, and participants engage in traditional Highland Games events like hammer throwing and tug-of-war.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The Republican lawmaker representing Georgia’s northwest has, in recent days, doubled down on her criticism of her own party, this time hammering in on the continuing government shutdown.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
Stripped to her underwear and tied to a chair, Evelyn begs for her life as Gein wheels out a corpse, wraps its long-dead fingers around the handle of a hammer, and brings both inanimate objects down on Evelyn’s head.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
The historic event is held on the first Saturday in September every year at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, and participants engage in traditional Highland Games events like hammer throwing and tug-of-war.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
Numerous other wildfire scars will also be hammered by heavy rain.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The Republican lawmaker representing Georgia’s northwest has, in recent days, doubled down on her criticism of her own party, this time hammering in on the continuing government shutdown.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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As Robbie's actions target stash houses run by the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang, a deadly turf war erupts, escalating tensions in the city and drawing both law enforcement and criminal factions into a high-stakes battle over control, survival and justice.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Payton lost his mind, running onto the field, drawing a penalty.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Snell faced the minimum while allowing one hit and striking out a postseason career-high 10 batters.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Once the third quarter got underway, South Shore Tech continued to pound the rock on the ground.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, Israel told his mother, Ajike Owens, about the altercation; Owens, understandably angry, crossed the street to pound on Lorincz’s door and demand to speak with her.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Royal Dutch Medical Association scolded the psychiatrists, and prosecutors declined to act.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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Like an impatient parent scolding their toddler, Frankenstein grows frustrated with his monster’s limited capacity for speech.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Eighteen years old and 13 pounds too light to join the Marines, the wiry, wide-eyed teen watched his recruiter zip through the aisles, grabbing a roll of tape, a sledgehammer, and a length of lead pipe.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Also for a small fee, guests can use a wooden sledgehammer to smash a pumpkin and feed the pieces to three cows and a couple of pigs, all eager for the treats.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What would be the reason to forge Dead Sea Scrolls or create the apocryphal Book of Judith.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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But Delhi will continue to try to thread the needle between these concerns and its desire to forge closer regional partnerships at Pakistan’s expense.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Last year in a Bravo League football game against Tesoro, a 44-14 win for the Sea Kings in which Annett passed for 285 yards, he was hit by a defender while making a throw, knocking his right (throwing) shoulder out of socket.—
Richard Dunn,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
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This isn’t to knock van der Kolk’s book—a book on mental health being so popular feels like a win—but fewer and fewer books getting larger and larger deals is a worrying trend.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some even licked the candy to soften it -- a trick used by contestants in the show.—
Hakyung Kate Lee,
ABC News,
17 Oct. 2025
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Napkins were crumpled; plates were licked.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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