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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Mark Long, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Mayor Jacob Frey hammering ICE’s presence in the aftermath of the incident.
—ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Jan. 2026
Two law enforcement officials told AP that the Secret Service heard a loud noise at the home around midnight and found a person who had broken a window with a hammer and was trying to get into the house.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
He got hammered in the head twice during one play, with Josh Hines-Allen landing on the side of his helmet right after teammate Travon Walker tackled him to the ground.
—Mark Long, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Mayor Jacob Frey hammering ICE’s presence in the aftermath of the incident.
—ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
The man accused of smashing windows on Vice President JD Vance's home with a hammer is facing separate prosecutions in state and federal court.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Jan. 2026
Two law enforcement officials told AP that the Secret Service heard a loud noise at the home around midnight and found a person who had broken a window with a hammer and was trying to get into the house.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Westminster police spoke with CBS LA on Monday, noting that the constant calls have been drawing a lot of the department's resources in recent months.—
Lesley Marin,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Sonoma State University political science professor David McCuan said the open-seat contest has drawn a rush of candidates but few have been able to build sustained momentum, with many polling in the single digits.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stevens said the loss of Lea’e’s father hit the team hard.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As wind continues to pound the camp, a wooden pole delicately holds up the tarpaulin keeping him dry.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
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This is a chest-out, table-pounding call to arms for Orlando NFL fans who’ve spent way too long waiting for permission to care.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, when speaking to reporters at the White House, Vice President JD Vance scolded the media for not mentioning that the same ICE officer who shot Good was previously seriously injured during the car-dragging incident.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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This is not a bunch of people trying to scold for something that is a part of some kind of ideology.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the video released by police, two masked suspects dressed in all black swung what appeared to be a sledgehammer into the store’s windowed entrance.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Some are relatively simple, spanning a narrow stream and created by a team with a chainsaw and a sledgehammer.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Both chambers are expected to forge ahead quickly in the coming weeks.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Remind yourself that clear communication can forge uncertainty into cooperation and closeness.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
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Just hours before Saturday morning’s Shabbat service, flames and smoke licked through the synagogue, destroying at least two Torahs and many prayer books.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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