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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Kyiv has homed in on Russia's oil industry, seeking to slice at the Kremlin's ability to fund its war effort and hammer home the reverberations of the conflict for ordinary Russians.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Jimmy Williams Jr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
With winds exceeding 160 mph, the storm was a natural disaster that hammered all communities in its wake.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
In the Rams’ 38-21 loss to Washington at Husky Stadium, Dupree, a 6-foot, 210-pound hammer from Arkansas, was the best back on the field.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Kyiv has homed in on Russia's oil industry, seeking to slice at the Kremlin's ability to fund its war effort and hammer home the reverberations of the conflict for ordinary Russians.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Fewer than 10% of workers in this country are members of unions, and that number continues to drop as the current administration spends our tax dollars hammering federal workers.
—Jimmy Williams Jr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
With winds exceeding 160 mph, the storm was a natural disaster that hammered all communities in its wake.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races The only governor's races in the country this year are in Virginia and New Jersey and are drawing national attention, heavy outside spending, and interest as early indicators for how the 2026 midterms could shake out.—
Grace Sandman,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
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How Designers Are Modernizing History While these wallpapers draw from history, today’s designers are giving them new life.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rain pounded so hard Friday afternoon that Aventura police closed a portion of Biscayne Boulevard from 191st Street to 29th Avenue, near Aventura Mall, due to road flooding.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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TikTok videos often feature variations where pranksters pound on or kick people’s front doors.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Part 2, viewers see Morticia scold her children for lying to her, yet Morticia is keeping secrets from Wednesday about her past and family.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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Family matriarch Donna Adelson was scolded by a judge Thursday for weeping in the courtroom after being convicted of orchestrating a 2014 murder-for-hire plot of her former son-in-law, a prominent Florida State University law professor.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yes, Tech is the Waffle House version of Iowa, a Southern sledgehammer.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
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This ruling takes a sledgehammer to an already overstretched health care network, and Mainers statewide will feel the effects of defunding Maine Family Planning, regardless of their insurance status.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Nick's inability to forgive Noah creates what appears to be an impenetrable barrier between them, with each focused on forging their own professional paths.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, was charged with five felonies, including perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote and registering a non-existent person to vote.—
Riley Hoffman,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Arkansas held a 16-point lead in the second half against Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders rallied to win 85-83 in overtime to secure a trip to the Elite Eight and knock the Razorbacks out of the tournament.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
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The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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