HAMMERING Synonyms: 275 Similar and Opposite Words

hammering 1 of 2

noun

as in pounding

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hammering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hammer

as in drawing

to shape with a hammer medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs

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as in hitting

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner hammer a nail hammered the ball for a home run

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as in licking

to strike repeatedly tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail

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as in scolding

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

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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 hammering

Noun

This song features a kick drum throughout, and the boosted bass takes it from background timekeeping to foreground hammering. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 The Middle East faces chaotic power shifts as Iran, despite taking a hammering, refuses to back down, though its regional influence is expected to wane. — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The improvement continued with a 3-0 hammering of Austria in the round of 32, including a double from centre-forward Oyarzabal and right-back Pedro Porro finishing off a neat team move. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026 During a walk-through for reporters on Thursday, construction noises — particularly sanding and hammering — could be heard. — ABC News, 11 June 2026 That day in 2022, Pencov heard a hammering at the front door. — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Once the roads open and the Miura’s tachometer sweeps past 4,000 rpm, your ears are nourished by a cultured snarl that builds to a hammering roar. — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 18 May 2026 That's the part worth hammering, not that Nike is greedy or calculating. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 The tap-tap-tap hammering up and down my spine and around my shoulder blades actually soothed me nearly to sleep. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Verb

Hobson added that her focus has been on hammering home the museum’s populist themes. — Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner went back-to-back with Taylor, hammering Harrison’s 94-mph fastball into the left-field seats for a solo home run to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Ukraine has also tried to make Russian civilians feel the burden of war by hammering major online retailers and oil facilities. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Democrats are hammering Republicans on the campaign trail over the cost of living, which remains stubbornly high amid the war with Iran. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Fans, media partners, sponsors and politicians (likely including the president) will be hammering away at players and owners to get a deal done. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Faulty valves can also cause scary-sounding noises like hammering and screeching. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2026 Inside the White House, there’s broad confidence that the administration has a record to run on, one the president will likely be hammering from here to November. — Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Trump has spent weeks hammering senators to pass the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID when casting a ballot. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammering

Noun

Rucking targets both at once without the joint pounding of running or the recovery debt of hard gym sessions.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Rutted migration routes, carved by the constant pounding of animal hooves, littered northern Pennsylvania.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Definition of pounding

Verb

The influence of Syria’s greatest financial supporters is drawing Damascus toward a Qatari-Saudi-Turkish constellation.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Other colleges have avoided loans but are drawing more from their endowments each year than advisors consider sustainable.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drawing

Verb

Cook will be remembered for making the iPhone feel essential to everything from buying a coffee to listening to music, hitting the gym or paying a credit card bill.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Crow-Armstrong’s 38 blasts are tied with Kyle Schwarber (2019) for second-most by a left-handed-hitting Cub.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

One act featured two young women sitting on the stage and licking orange Popsicles (yes, that was the whole act).

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of licking

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolding

Noun

In the thrashing that was Brighton vs Aston Villa, John McGinn goes in for what appears to be a rough tackle on Ibrahim Osman in the penalty area in the 80th minute.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The Blågult had started so well, mind you, with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026