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

Liam’s detention became another flashpoint in the criticism over heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics used by the feds and fueled mounting outrage from community members and officials alike. —Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026

Will the specifics be light-handed or heavy-handed? —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

These critiques were made during a time of growing revulsion against slum clearance and heavy-handed urban-renewal attempts; the reentry of the creative classes to city centers was only beginning to gain notice. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

Not only because of the lives lost at the hands of federal agents, but because of what the heavy-handed immigration enforcement operations have revealed about the state of our nation. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 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