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
Elizabeth Lambert2
: oppressive, harsh
a heavy-handed approach to crime
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
Chopard has long been a partner of the Mille Miglia, and its timepieces that celebrate the famous automotive event are cool without being too heavy-handed.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2025
There’s a lot of acting here, little of it peak-form for the talent involved, though the ensemble lifts and colors Anders’ sometimes heavy-handed dialogue.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
People who have protested these heavy-handed enforcement tactics are met with law enforcement in riot gear firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
During the racial upheaval of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Al-Amin decried heavy-handed policing in Black communities.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2025
There’s a lot of acting here, little of it peak-form for the talent involved, though the ensemble lifts and colors Anders’ sometimes heavy-handed dialogue.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
People who have protested these heavy-handed enforcement tactics are met with law enforcement in riot gear firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
During the racial upheaval of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Al-Amin decried heavy-handed policing in Black communities.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Nov. 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 16 Dec. 2025.
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