hammer out

verb

hammered out; hammering out; hammers out

transitive verb

: to produce or bring about as if by repeated blows

hammered out an agreement

Synonyms of hammer out

• forge
• develop
• carve (out)
• grind (out)
• create
• bring forth
• thrash (out)
• craft

Examples of hammer out in a Sentence

the city council hammered out new commercial development regulations with input from residents, business owners, and environmental activists

Recent Examples on the Web

However, both sides of the debate left the door open to hammering out a potential compromise in the coming days before either version faces a vote by the full City Council. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

While the exact vision is yet to be hammered out, the core concept is to ensure the entire food story at the stadium is steeped in the Sacramento region’s farms, produce and makers. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Now, lawmakers must hammer out the details of that legislation. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Last month, top officials from the State and Defense departments met with their counterparts in Caracas to hammer out details of the oil deal. — Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1632, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hammer out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout

Kids Definition

hammer out

verb

: to produce or bring about by persistent effort

hammered out an agreement