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
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
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2026
In the midst of that second drought, the one that decided the game, Cronin was slapped with a technical after watching Donovan Dent drive the lane and get hammered with no call.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Ariel David, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026
Relegation would be the biggest hammer blow this club has suffered in decades.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
The bonkers car is set to hammer down for over $800,000 at auction in April.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2026
In the midst of that second drought, the one that decided the game, Cronin was slapped with a technical after watching Donovan Dent drive the lane and get hammered with no call.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
The newest star among young men online is Clavicular, a 20-year-old looksmaxxing influencer who teaches his followers to smash their jawbones with a hammer and openly promotes meth.
—Ariel David, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2026
Relegation would be the biggest hammer blow this club has suffered in decades.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
This drew the ire of the AAP, which went as far as to release its own schedule in August 2025, saying the federal process was no longer credible.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Kerwin Vargas drew a foul, Pep Biel took a free kick and floated a cross into the center of the box, and Idan Toklomati put it home — a clinical set-piece goal.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Crow-Armstrong had support from his team during Friday’s news conference, where first baseman Michael Busch, manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach Dustin Kelly, assistant hitting coach John Mallee and staff assistant AJ Lewis took in the scene.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Alcantara left the mound with a lead, courtesy of the bottom of Miami’s lineup stringing together hits in the second.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sonically, the track (produced and composed by Gavilan) is a melancholic grassroots folk song accompanied by weeping guitar riffs and a heart-pounding cajón.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Alongside a squad of volunteers, Blanton made her way down a dozen streets, pounding her fist on door after door, pitching Coppell ISD schools to whoever answered.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The drama erupted last weekend when Jorginho went on Instagram Stories to say that his stepdaughter and wife were scolded at the São Paulo hotel for getting too close to Roan.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three thieves used sledgehammers to perform a smash-and-grab at a popular Sherman Oaks mall on Wednesday evening, stealing jewelry and watches before fleeing the scene, authorities said.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
During the April break-in, Brent said that Austin Lanz smashed through the back door with a sledgehammer, opened their blinds, and rummaged through their bed.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Country Day responded in the top of the fifth, as Richey forced a one-out walk, and came around to score on a Taylor Higgins double to forge a 2-2 tie.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But the friendship was really forged during the pandemic season of Summer House.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After a review, it was decided that Raddysh was knocked to the ice and into the crease, prohibiting Vasilevskiy from a possible save.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The latest flare-up in the Iran conflict has hammered export‑reliant markets in South Korea and Japan, knocking benchmark indexes sharply lower on fears that surging energy costs and a prolonged hit to risk appetite could undercut corporate earnings and growth across Asia’s trade‑driven economies.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Seals off The San Diego Seals (6-8) are off this weekend and licking their wounds following a crushing 9-8 home loss to Buffalo on Saturday.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
