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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hammer
Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The ball would pound the hardwood like a hammer pounds a nail.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
But despite the weakened state, Melissa hammered Cuba, which has an ailing power grid and is still recovering from years of back-to-back storm hits.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
Auto stores also often sell emergency escape kits with hammer-like tools that can help break the windows, seat-belt cutters and more.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The ball would pound the hardwood like a hammer pounds a nail.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
The storm has already carved a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, hammering Jamaica, Cuba and neighboring islands with torrential rain and powerful winds.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
But despite the weakened state, Melissa hammered Cuba, which has an ailing power grid and is still recovering from years of back-to-back storm hits.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
The new editor is also giving the magazine a facelift, redesigning its logo and drawing visual inspiration from its archives.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Those warnings, however, don't seem to be fazing many young Americans, who appear most drawn to his message over any political label from either Democrats or the GOP.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The online education company, founded 20 years ago, has been hit by the rise of generative AI software tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, which have become increasingly popular among students.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
-
October 28, 2025 Ohtani hit his second home run of the night in the seventh inning to tie the matchup at five against the Toronto Blue Jays.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And so the Jays did, piling up one quality at-bat after another, grinding down Snell, pounding the Dodgers’ suspect bullpen.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Its rain has already been pounding parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic for several days, flooding roadways and triggering landslides.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This came after Nick Saban jokingly scolded himself for not fielding Sayin during their weeks-long overlap in 2023’s postseason at Alabama.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
This way of peering at screen culture from an inexact distance, which also comes up in a scolding scene where Ethan scrolls aimlessly through something like TikTok, rankles in a play that is otherwise so precise about physical time and space.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many a United fan and commentator expected Amorim to test his 6ft 5in sledgehammer of a striker against Slot’s back line from the off.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Balmer was seen striking multiple doors with the sledgehammer but was unable to break through.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Set in the world of women’s basketball, the film follows two phenoms who forge an extraordinary bond as teammates until fame, competition and the ruthless business of college athletics threaten to turn their friendship into an epic rivalry.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In addition to forging his music career, the Venezuelan singer-songwriter—who left his career on Wall Street to pursue his dreams—is a lawyer, actor, and TV reporter.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The contestants then had to compete in a physically taxing challenge that involved pushing a heavy cart along a bumpy path, stacking sand bags, climbing ladders, knocking discs off poles, and then finally knocking down four bamboo targets.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Kelly was fired Sunday, one day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M dropped the Tigers to 5-3 and all but knocked them out of the College Football Playoff race.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Collins is no doubt licking his chops studying tape of another Patriots rookie, left guard Jared Wilson, who allowed two sacks last weekend.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Soon, orange-red flames began to lick the wall and the roof’s open eaves.—
Ingfei Chen,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share