1
as in to draw
to shape with a hammer
medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
hammer a nail hammered the ball for a home run
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pound
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
the critics have long been hammering the stage actress for resorting to the same mixed bag of mannerisms over and over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sledgehammer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hammer
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
There will be times when Roberts will leave a starter (or reliever) out there to get hammered in order to preserve the bullpen.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
Police said he was armed with a hammer and intended to beat Shapiro with it if the two came face-to-face.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
Goldschmidt’s 2024 campaign hammered that point home.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
There will be times when Roberts will leave a starter (or reliever) out there to get hammered in order to preserve the bullpen.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
An old man was hit with a hammer and that’s his first reaction.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
Police said he was armed with a hammer and intended to beat Shapiro with it if the two came face-to-face.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
From there, the Uruguayan drew the focus of multiple defenders, leaving the left side of the box open for Alba.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
The Met Gala typically draws its dress code from the accompanying exhibition, which celebrities (and their stylists) are encouraged to interpret on the red carpet.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, crossing over Antetokounmpo and driving to the basket for a right-handed layup with 1.3 seconds left.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
-
The western starring Alec Baldwin, who also came up with the story and serves as a producer, was hit by tragedy during production in October 2021 when Baldwin’s prop gun discharged during a rehearsal, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and also injuring director-screenwriter Joel Souza.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
For those interested in exploring opportunities in the legal cannabis space, pounding the pavement can be a heady process.—
Iris Dorbian,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Russia pounded Kyiv in an hourslong barrage Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87 in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since July.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Today's top stories President Trump scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday after Russia launched a deadly strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
-
That, in the end, is the heart of the spectacle of Noem’s militaristic videos and Leavitt’s scolding and lies.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
With Elon Musk leading DOGE, Trump has tried to take a sledgehammer to government spending.—
Nicole Russell,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
One of the federal agents then takes a sledgehammer, breaks into the car window, and opens the car doors.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The duo forged a bond while on England duty at under-17 level.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
-
There’s only forging ahead into the next mission — with another yearlong time-jump just around the corner.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Besides, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick knock their respective roles out of the park, and if nothing else, the movie’s suiting deserves to be admired (especially given the dress code of this year’s Met Gala).—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
-
And in Game 5, Doncic injured his back, James knocked knees and Reaves struggled with his outside shot and ability to create separation off drives.—
Dan Woike,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Flames were licking the upper branches of tall trees.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
-
While investors are licking their wounds from a plunging stock market, and businesses brace for economic fallout, major investment banks are reaping extraordinary profits, according to Wall Street Journal.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share