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

Firefighters in Spain admitted the fires were so fast and violent that they could not be tackled head on.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Because of his previous felonies, though none for violent crimes, Pfister could now be defined as a habitual offender under Michigan law and faces prison.

— Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of violent

Adverb

Even a deep black pencil can feel softer and more natural because the pigment doesn’t sit as sharply on top of the skin.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
Oil prices have surged more than 30% this month as fighting in the Middle East sharply escalates.

— Spencer Kimball,Chloe Taylor,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of sharply

Adjective

Calm on the ball, Rodri is a ferocious monster off it, hoovering up second balls with his sharp anticipation and brushing opponents aside in duels with his imposing physicality.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Adult ladybugs are most known for eating aphids, but the various species are ferocious hunters of varied prey.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adverb

Even more students held their own protests across the country after police violently cracked down on thousands of protesters who tried to march into parliament on Monday.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 25 July 2026
Firefighters in Spain said the blazes spread so fast and violently that they could not be tackled head on.

— Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of violently

Adjective

This video shows firefighters battling fierce flames ripping through vegetation, propelled, in part, by strong gusts of wind.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Liverpool were trailing 2-1 early in the second half when the midfielder chested the ball down just outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike past Melker Ellborg.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of fierce

Adverb

Jason was hissing fiercely; Gordon, who projects a monastic calm, was trying to reason with the mother while batting her back each time the flap swung open.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Beijing has so far avoided that framing, and is contending fiercely with Washington across the board.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Definition of fiercely

Adjective

Prince William is reportedly very upset by these reports, with the National Examiner reporting that William is furious about Harry and Meghan’s reported desire to collaborate with Netflix on a documentary.

— StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026
Her father, furious over her job and gender identity, kicked her out.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

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hammer-and-tongs

hammer and tongs

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Cite this Entry

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“Hammer-and-tongs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer-and-tongs. Accessed 27 Jul. 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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