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
However, many protesters continue to demonstrate peacefully, and critics argue that Trump's heavy-handed response has inflamed tensions rather than calming them.
—
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
But the heavy-handed nature of the ICE raids threw fuel on the fire—and the administration has used the crisis to vastly expand its power.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Democrats said the incident dovetailed with Trump’s heavy-handed approach to immigration enforcement.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
This heavy-handed approach resulted in harm to protesters, assaults on media personnel, and the mistreatment of church volunteers and clergy, who were forcibly removed and later subjected to tear gas.
—Emma K. Dashnaw, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
But the heavy-handed nature of the ICE raids threw fuel on the fire—and the administration has used the crisis to vastly expand its power.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Democrats said the incident dovetailed with Trump’s heavy-handed approach to immigration enforcement.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
This heavy-handed approach resulted in harm to protesters, assaults on media personnel, and the mistreatment of church volunteers and clergy, who were forcibly removed and later subjected to tear gas.
—Emma K. Dashnaw, Hartford Courant, 11 June 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 19 Jun. 2025.
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