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
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
If confronted with someone with a hammer, most people would give up their bags.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 10 July 2025
ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Despite a strong likelihood of clearing the chamber, the bill is unlikely to become law: Democrats have staked opposition to it, arguing the legislation would injure democracy in the U.S. and abroad and hammering away about policy riders included.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
To break this invisible paint’s hold, place a thin, flexible putty knife in the gap and lightly tap it with a hammer.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
If confronted with someone with a hammer, most people would give up their bags.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
That means that hammering patterns required for a successful attack are completely different.
—ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Despite a strong likelihood of clearing the chamber, the bill is unlikely to become law: Democrats have staked opposition to it, arguing the legislation would injure democracy in the U.S. and abroad and hammering away about policy riders included.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
The crew will be drawn from Ann Arbor and the Detroit region.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
-
Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins drew parallels to other high-profile cases, suggesting the victim, Latasha White, deserves the same level of respect and investigation as Crystal Rogers and Breonna Taylor.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The floods that hit the Hill Country nearly three weeks ago killed dozens of young girls at Camp Mystic, many of whose families live in the Houston region.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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More: Bourbon, other U.S. spirits could soon be hit with retaliatory EU tariffs.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
Verb
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There's something uniquely humbling about pounding the pavement for over 26 miles.—
Henry Fan,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
One nationwide study found that teenagers who had been stopped by police a lot often showed signs of post-traumatic stress, like feeling their heart pounding when recalling the event.—
Dr. Marvin So,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Whether this comes off as a joke or as an invitation for scolding (spoken or unspoken, loving or otherwise) depends entirely on the other Muslims in the room.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
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But there was a time Emily Deschanel, who played the meticulous forensic anthropologist through 12 seasons of Bones, got scolded for being just that — and the memory still makes the star emotional.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Sirenko has an excellent chin, but he is getting hit with some sledgehammers and walking through it.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
Verb
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While the partnership is forging ahead and expects to break ground in 2027, the project still faces myriad challenges.—
Ella McCarthy,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Raised with humble means in the fields of Hobbs, New Mexico, by his immigrant mother, Heredia forged values in hardship rather than academia.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Instead, Sue goes all Mama Bear and uses her powers to knock him into the teleporter and then Silver Surfer has a change of heart and knocks him back in when Galactus tries to get out.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The Boston Celtics are still licking their wounds following the heartbreaking end to the 2024-25 NBA season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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And Lil Wayne agrees by licking my face, which is part of the job description for companion dogs.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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