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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Jeran Wittenstein, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Oilers fans should stay tuned for Henrique’s activation, a trade that makes room for it, and a new third line designed to hammer the soft parade in the last portion of the regular season.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
But this week, the administrative hammer came down anyway.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
The latest bout began after Anthropic PBC released productivity tools for lawyers and financial researchers, hammering the stock price of companies across those industries.
—Jeran Wittenstein, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Oilers fans should stay tuned for Henrique’s activation, a trade that makes room for it, and a new third line designed to hammer the soft parade in the last portion of the regular season.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Rebels pulled in two easy offensive rebounds on their second-to-last offensive possession that ended in a huge dunk from forward Tyrin Jones that symbolized the final hammer blow.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
But this week, the administrative hammer came down anyway.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Moon called the five-day recovery effort one that drew extraordinary cooperation from local, state and federal partners and acknowledged the toll on rescuers and families.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
22 Feb. 2026
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For five days, the UCLA men’s basketball team drew negative attention on a national level.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Finally, Kylie Minogue bags another top 40 hit thanks to the release of Tension Tour/Live 2025 (Mushroom Music) on CD and vinyl.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gabriel Basso headlines the pulse-pounding series.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
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The journey winds through sweeping turns before plunging into a dramatic 910-degree double helix that spirals into a mine shaft, delivering both heart-pounding excitement and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Porter was initially viewed as having a potential edge in the race, but her prospects dimmed after videos emerged in October of the UC Irvine law professor scolding a reporter and swearing at an aide.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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He is being groomed, playing, testing boundaries and even being scolded which are all part of normal social learning for young macaques.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Pham called 911and told police the suspects were armed with a sledgehammer.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Investigators allege the men used sledgehammers to break the store's front door, steal almost $11,000 worth of merchandise and then use a U-Haul pickup truck to escape.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many were hoping the summit could help forge a credible path for middle powers to shape the AI era and ensure that the technology’s benefits aren’t concentrated among a handful of American and Chinese companies.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accelerated his global diplomatic push, forging new trade agreements amid global upheaval.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
Mobile Web,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though his injuries were severe, the sailors watched in wonder as the cat determinedly licked his wounds, then got back to work destroying the rats threatening the ship’s food stores.—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
18 Feb. 2026
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Spit Heathcliff spends a lot of time straight-up licking Cathy’s face in this movie.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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