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

Perfect for heavy-handed clients, maintaining length, and building durable extensions. —Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 18 Nov. 2025

The heavy-handed federal presence in cities around the country, including just this past weekend in Charlotte, has raised alarm bells for his political opponents who see the operations as oppressive. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

This doesn’t require heavy-handed regulation. —Gerard Scimeca, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025

Yet the accumulation of damages and the effects of heavy-handed state management are eroding efficiency and resilience. —Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2025

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