heavy-handed
adjective
heavy-hand·ed
ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: clumsy
2
: oppressive, harsh
heavy-handedly
adverb
heavy-handedness
noun
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
While Medwin’s voiceover thankfully ceases after that first scene, a heavy-handed score serves much the same purpose, prodding us toward big and obvious emotions rather than contrasting or highlighting them.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
The government’s heavy-handed reaction to the demonstrations have left at least 90 people dead over the last two years.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Though the Taliban’s heavy-handed approach has resulted in a decline in ISKP attacks, the Taliban has not been able to prevent the ISKP from using its territory to launch attacks on other countries.
—Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Some arrests have been criticized as being heavy-handed, and in addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation—including green cards and visas—have been detained.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
The government’s heavy-handed reaction to the demonstrations have left at least 90 people dead over the last two years.
—Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Though the Taliban’s heavy-handed approach has resulted in a decline in ISKP attacks, the Taliban has not been able to prevent the ISKP from using its territory to launch attacks on other countries.
—Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Some arrests have been criticized as being heavy-handed, and in addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation—including green cards and visas—have been detained.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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