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
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
According to Fugazza, this is similar to a person calling a hammer and a rock by the same name.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
Salah held his nerve to hammer the last-gasp penalty past Martin Dubravka after Hannibal had handled Jeremie Frimpong’s cross deep into stoppage time.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
In 2022, an attacker looking for Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, assaulted her husband with a hammer.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
According to Fugazza, this is similar to a person calling a hammer and a rock by the same name.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Gateway is designed for hammering fast laps, with a gravel road climbing to the top of a ridge that provides access to the downhill singletrack.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
Salah held his nerve to hammer the last-gasp penalty past Martin Dubravka after Hannibal had handled Jeremie Frimpong’s cross deep into stoppage time.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Since buying the property in 2013, Swift has drawn fans to Bay Street, the village's main drag of clothing boutiques and ice cream counters, all checklist items on the Swiftie itinerary.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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The Super Bowl Halftime Show typically draws over 100 million viewers, providing unprecedented global exposure for artists and their cultural impact.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The newer versions can hit stationary and moving targets at sea.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
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His termination notice came just over a week after reporting he had been hit by a car while on duty.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now, MacLachlan, who lives in North Carolina, is pounding the pavement with a grassroots campaign to garner industry attention.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
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The affidavit also stated that Brimmer somehow managed to outrun Suresh and made it to a neighbor's house, where the victim began pounding on the garage until he was let into the home.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
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Chun also scolded attorneys for Amazon in July for withholding thousands of documents from the FTC and abusing a legal privilege to shield them from scrutiny.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Other times, the group used sledgehammers to smash cases of jewelry or other valuables in consignment stores.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
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Senate Bill 79 is a statewide sledgehammer.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Italian police were tipped off by Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation that some of the Dalí pieces were forged, according to The Associated Press (AP).—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Breaking with academic tradition, the group forged a modern Indian visual style.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Upon hearing the officers knock on the window, Jeremy unlocked the SUV and got out.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During a bedtime conversation between Kaz and Caesar, for example, their dog keeps licking Caesar as Kaz tries to have a serious talk with him.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
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Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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