HAMMER AND TONGS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

hammer-and-tongs 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hammer-and-tongs

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity the scuffle escalated into a hammer-and-tongs fight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hammer and tongs

2 of 2

adverb

as in sharply

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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-and-tongs

Adverb

In 1971, authors Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal went at it hammer and tongs live on late-night TV in a showdown that allegedly spilled over into violence. — Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024 The action on Nevarro is crisp and well-presented, highlighted by the Armorer taking out the sniper’s nest singlehandedly with only her hammer and tongs as weapons. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2023 The two conservative groups that brought the case were targeted by Harris in 2012-13, right around the time the IRS was going hammer and tongs after Tea Party groups. — Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 1 July 2021 Two teams who seem destined to slug it out in the lower reaches of the table this season going hammer and tongs at each other never makes for a good watch. — SI.com, 18 Sep. 2019 With two moderate Pyrenean climbs, Thursday’s Stage 12 from Toulouse, where cassoulet and rugby are both big, wasn’t tough enough for Thomas and his rivals to go at each other hammer and tongs. — Washington Post, 18 July 2019 The way to stand out from the others is to go hammer and tongs for the opponents’ jugulars, or to try to sound more extreme than the others. — Jim Jones, idahostatesman, 18 May 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer-and-tongs

Adjective

Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
New documents presented Thursday also illustrate a history of allegations of racist and violent behavior by Austin Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, among the character evidence that was not presented at the trial.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adverb

Heavy rain can sharply reduce visibility and create dangerous road conditions even before flooding begins.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Israel sharply criticized the UK after London voiced opposition to the Jewish state’s support for settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latest in a series of rows with once strong Western allies.

— Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sharply

Adjective

Lamborghini used Monterey to reveal the Revuelto SV, a harder, faster version of its already ferocious V12 hybrid flagship.

— Josh Max, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Well, thanks to a video making the rounds of Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins doing some poop-scooping, the lines have been drawn for a ferocious online debate.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adverb

But Delapierre was flung forwards violently by the rapid deceleration and suffered a nasty face-plant into the cockpit.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
The deal goes bad, violently so, and Vince hightails it back to New York, looking for a bailout from brother Jake (played by Jude Law), owner of Manhattan’s hippest restaurant.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of violently

Adverb

Jean is wonderful, a fiercely loyal and maternal figure who sincerely wants to help these women untangle their traumas and get back on their feet.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
In a place where the past is fiercely preserved, the most ingenious innovations are the ones that don’t announce their arrival.

— Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of fiercely

Adverb

Baku vehemently denied the report at the time, and stepped up its denials this week, filing a defamation lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
Becerra vehemently pledges to do that and points to his successful record as attorney general blocking the president’s policies in court.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of vehemently

Browse Nearby Words

hammer

hammer-and-tongs

hammer and tongs

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“Hammer-and-tongs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer-and-tongs. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hammer-and-tongs

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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