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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
The stock got hammered 14%, falling to $640 per share on disappointing weight loss data for its oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors made the case that Campbell suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to her face and head, consistent with those of being struck by a hammer.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
The process was costly, tedious and frequently resulted in inflammation from hammering on the jaw.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
The stock got hammered 14%, falling to $640 per share on disappointing weight loss data for its oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Sorrell—famed as the founder of advertising giant WPP—went on to explain that tech companies and individual figures like Elon Musk are simply too rich and influential for governments to meaningfully bring down a regulatory hammer.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors made the case that Campbell suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to her face and head, consistent with those of being struck by a hammer.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Since the start of the season, Arsenal have played 17 matches in total, winning 14, drawing twice, and losing just once, by an aggregate score of 35-5.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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He was drawn to the kinds of exotic materials favored by the Japanese—among them, rare stones such as color-changing alexandrites and blue-green Paraíba tourmalines—as opposed to, say, emeralds, a staple of the Indian-jewelry repertoire.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Cavaliers appeared to be in good position to escape with the win in regulation after forward Evan Mobley hit an above-the-break three-pointer off an assist from forward De’Andre Hunter to give Cleveland a two-point advantage.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
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Prosecutors said Chastain then used the flashlight to hit Raleigh in the head and mouth before leaving the area.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Walpole got on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Without its dynamic starting quarterback, the Cougars were outpaced by visiting Inglewood, which pounded the rock in a 40-16 victory on Friday at Saddleback College.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Halfbacks no longer wear oversized shoulder pads that signal their utility as sledgehammers.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Three years later, thieves, armed with sledgehammers, stole it in an audacious five-minute heist from Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s historic birthplace in the English countryside.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The concert was life-changing for Rea, who got to meet Osbourne there and forge a friendship that would last until the singer’s death this past summer.—
Stephen Rea,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
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The drummer/producer of The Roots first met D’Angelo in the mid-1990s and the two forged a musical bond that helped shape the sound of that era.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Police geared up and stormed the compound, using a hoe to knock the padlock off a door inside.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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