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
Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
The stock got hammered 14%, falling to $640 per share on disappointing weight loss data for its oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors made the case that Campbell suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to her face and head, consistent with those of being struck by a hammer.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
The process was costly, tedious and frequently resulted in inflammation from hammering on the jaw.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
The stock got hammered 14%, falling to $640 per share on disappointing weight loss data for its oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Sorrell—famed as the founder of advertising giant WPP—went on to explain that tech companies and individual figures like Elon Musk are simply too rich and influential for governments to meaningfully bring down a regulatory hammer.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors made the case that Campbell suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to her face and head, consistent with those of being struck by a hammer.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
The new editor is also giving the magazine a facelift, redesigning its logo and drawing visual inspiration from its archives.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Those warnings, however, don't seem to be fazing many young Americans, who appear most drawn to his message over any political label from either Democrats or the GOP.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Shein—a global fast-fashion juggernaut headquartered in Singapore—was mere days away from opening its first physical store in Paris, inside the BHV Marais department store, when the news hit.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Rojas, a light-hitting infielder, hit an unexpected home run in the ninth inning of Game Seven to tie it and force extra innings, when the Dodgers won it.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Walpole got on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Without its dynamic starting quarterback, the Cougars were outpaced by visiting Inglewood, which pounded the rock in a 40-16 victory on Friday at Saddleback College.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This came after Nick Saban jokingly scolded himself for not fielding Sayin during their weeks-long overlap in 2023’s postseason at Alabama.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
This way of peering at screen culture from an inexact distance, which also comes up in a scolding scene where Ethan scrolls aimlessly through something like TikTok, rankles in a play that is otherwise so precise about physical time and space.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Three years later, thieves, armed with sledgehammers, stole it in an audacious five-minute heist from Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s historic birthplace in the English countryside.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Many a United fan and commentator expected Amorim to test his 6ft 5in sledgehammer of a striker against Slot’s back line from the off.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
McGuinness, along with Jason Bauer, were accused of a scheme to put several Tea Party candidates on the ballot without their knowledge, forging signatures on an affidavit.—
Lily Altavena,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Starbucks’ success was forged on the back of a growing demand for Western luxuries, as well as a strategy of adapting p roducts for the market –– to appeal to customers beyond China’s top-tier cities.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police geared up and stormed the compound, using a hoe to knock the padlock off a door inside.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share