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

2

: oppressive, harsh

a heavy-handed approach to crime

heavy-handedly adverb

heavy-handedness noun

Synonyms of heavy-handed

• harsh
• strict
• authoritarian
• tough
• rigorous
• stern
• rigid
• severe
• relentless

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

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

Demonstrators lined up for the second week in a row outside of the county administration building over what some see as a heavy-handed federal immigration crackdown. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

For now, Democrats seem content riding the growing blowback to the administration’s heavy-handed immigration crackdown and lingering affordability concerns, but Trump is taking steps to try and limit the damage to Republicans. —Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026

Residents of Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, which have each faced heavy-handed federal crackdowns, are showing us how this is done. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heavy-handed

• countermanded
• evenhanded
• reprimanded
• underhanded
• backhanded
• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded
• remanded
• unbranded

Kids Definition

heavy-handed

adjective

heavy-hand·​ed

ˌhev-ē-ˈhan-dəd

1

: clumsy sense 1

2

: severe or harsh in dealing with others