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

That, in turn, reveals a family history of violent gravitational instability caused by events like giant collisions and planetary ejections.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The show, which can certainly be tense, spends more time on being funny than violent.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of violent

Adverb

The production stalled in 1964 when the couple separated, and Kumari’s health declined sharply over the following years.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Inflation dropped sharply, deposits flowed back into the banking system, and the economy switched from negative to positive growth with a surge in exports leading the way.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharply

Adjective

In the Atlantic, not a single hurricane has formed yet, a record for this late into hurricane season, due to ferocious wind shear brought on by El Niño.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
When the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in June, the natural instinct was to focus on the prodigious point production (57th all time), the volume rebounding (71st all time), the thunderous dunks and the ferocious forays to the basket.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adverb

In recent months, some militant settlers are ramping up their campaign to violently drive out the Palestinians who live there -- often with impunity -- the Israeli government showing an unwillingness to crack down on the violence.

— Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026
Demolishing universities, assaulting the press, violently resegregating the public sphere, ramming degenerative AI down our throats, incarcerating mere zine makers, the regime is systematically repealing the right to culture.

— Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of violently

Adjective

In the aftermath of City being found guilty of a raft of financial breaches another fierce welcome was expected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Her fierce survival instincts see her turn the tables on them, transforming their hunt into her own cat-and-mouse game.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adverb

Dropped by his followers and shunned by his circle, Jim has only Lucien on his side, a skinny and fiercely loyal admirer.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
In Flanagan‘s take, Margaret is fiercely committed to shielding Carrie from the world’s dangers and from her classmates’ cruelty, even becoming a parental advocate in their community and on social media.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of fiercely

Adjective

In an early scene, Misty is jolted awake by the man’s furious widow, Celine (Amy Landecker), who has just discovered the apartment on her husband’s ledgers and is intent on kicking out his mistress.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
The fourth disc has the Attractions playing these songs live, after the album was out, in increasingly furious fashion.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of furious

Adverb

Several senior Iranian officials have vehemently denied these accusations.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Hamilton’s campaign has vehemently denied the allegations and a series of court records undercut the claim that Hamilton attempted to protect the child abuser, who was ultimately convicted for an unrelated offense.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of vehemently

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 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hammer-and-tongs

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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