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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Bullish risk reversal In an attempt to capitalize on the historically expensive downside SPCX options and position for a violent snap-back, this risk reversal seeks to finance upside exposure by fading the put skew.

— Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 17 July 2026
As the administration forges ahead with its immigration enforcement campaign, former ICE officials and policing experts warned that resuming vehicle stops without a thorough review of training or tactics could lead to more violent encounters.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of violent

Adverb

After the Women’s Health Initiative published its landmark findings in 2002, public and clinical attitudes toward hormone therapy shifted sharply, priming a generation of women to look for non-hormonal alternatives.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Both states sharply limit non-competes, and California bans most outright.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of sharply

Adjective

On top of these costs, increasingly ferocious climate disasters cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

— Liat Olenick, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Now, researchers are concerned that more ecosystems will be disrupted as the apex predators with a ferocious appetite feast on a buffet of raccoons, opossums, bobcats, alligators and birds -- including prey bigger than themselves.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adverb

Last week, Women’s Aid Ireland reported that eight women have died violently so far this year, already overtaking the whole of 2025.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
His ideas are later used to discourage violently spearing food with a knife, and instead promote the pacifist chopstick.

— New York Times, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of violently

Adjective

Both yachts will provide fierce competition against Svea, owned by Swedish entrepreneur Niklas Zennström, when the trio meet at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in late September.

— Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
Argentina's greatest strengths lie in their infectious unity and fierce mentality.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

Additional sources recently told the National Examiner that William is furious about Harry and Meghan’s reported desire to collaborate with Netflix on the documentary.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 18 July 2026
Nolan doesn’t exactly share his hero’s reticence; one of his signature tactics as a writer is to place blocky, boldface ideas in furious opposition.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

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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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hammer-and-tongs

adjective

adverb

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