1
as in drawing
to shape with a hammer
medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in licking
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pounding
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammering
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
The 4-0 hammering in France has seen Ajax’s chance of elimination before the knockout stage rise to 85 per cent.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
There and at Jebel Misma, the team found stone-hammering tools left behind by the artists in layers of sediment dating back 12,000 years.
—Martin J. Kernan, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
That support is under pressure amid Israeli forces’ continued hammering of Gaza, causing starvation and dislocation for its surviving residents.
—David Bloom, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The grippy sole will keep you rubber side down while hammering the pedals or doing some off-bike trail scouting.
—Will Porter, Outside, 14 Oct. 2025
The Republican lawmaker representing Georgia’s northwest has, in recent days, doubled down on her criticism of her own party, this time hammering in on the continuing government shutdown.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Thank Pluto’s five-month retrograde for hammering a health message home.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
Israel, meanwhile, has emerged from the war in a much stronger security position after decimating Hamas in Gaza, slamming Hezbollah in Lebanon, and hammering Iran's nuclear facilities.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Gray’s challenge Republicans are hammering Gray daily for one thing or another.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Tapping into traditional craft methods, from woodworking and stone mining to hammering metal, Gerlach&Heilig utilizes modern systems and tools (laser cutting, CNC milling) to design contemporary furnishings that embrace a graceful, minimal simplicity.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
When the wind finally let up on Sunday and the gates officially opened, burners began pouring into the city just as hammering rain began.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
The sound of hammering came from outside in the driveway, where some men were building a coffin.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
The 4-0 hammering in France has seen Ajax’s chance of elimination before the knockout stage rise to 85 per cent.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
There and at Jebel Misma, the team found stone-hammering tools left behind by the artists in layers of sediment dating back 12,000 years.
—Martin J. Kernan, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
That support is under pressure amid Israeli forces’ continued hammering of Gaza, causing starvation and dislocation for its surviving residents.
—David Bloom, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Here, though, the aggressive Blue Jays hitters are hammering the first hittable pitch from a staff that hates to nibble around the edges.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The grippy sole will keep you rubber side down while hammering the pedals or doing some off-bike trail scouting.
—Will Porter, Outside, 14 Oct. 2025
The Republican lawmaker representing Georgia’s northwest has, in recent days, doubled down on her criticism of her own party, this time hammering in on the continuing government shutdown.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Thank Pluto’s five-month retrograde for hammering a health message home.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
Israel, meanwhile, has emerged from the war in a much stronger security position after decimating Hamas in Gaza, slamming Hezbollah in Lebanon, and hammering Iran's nuclear facilities.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Gray’s challenge Republicans are hammering Gray daily for one thing or another.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Tapping into traditional craft methods, from woodworking and stone mining to hammering metal, Gerlach&Heilig utilizes modern systems and tools (laser cutting, CNC milling) to design contemporary furnishings that embrace a graceful, minimal simplicity.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
When the wind finally let up on Sunday and the gates officially opened, burners began pouring into the city just as hammering rain began.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammering
Verb
-
SpaceX and Blue Origin are drawing celebrities like Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, and Kim Kardashian into a new era of luxury space tourism.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Brighton & Hove Albion head to Manchester off the back of beating Newcastle United and Chelsea and drawing with Wolves in their last three games.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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So in the moments after takeoff, Higginbotham always stared at his watch, heart pounding, counting the seconds to a minute.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Bolsa Grande came out pounding the ball, and senior Haley burst up the Matadors sideline for a 68-yard score.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like an impatient parent scolding their toddler, Frankenstein grows frustrated with his monster’s limited capacity for speech.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Rodgers stayed down for a moment before getting to his feet and giving a quick two-handed push to Jones’ chest while scolding him.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The tactical tweak resulted in Liverpool’s winning a game by more than two goals for the first time since the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in April which sealed the Premier League title.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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How to Watch Memphis vs UAB Memphis returns from a bye following a 45-7 thrashing of Tulsa that improved the Tigers to 2-0 in The American.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Now the company is forging ahead with a new chapter under the direction of Adidas veteran Arthur Hoeld, who took on the role as chairman and chief executive officer on July 1.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
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The 51-year-old former assistant clerk magistrate has been indicted on charges related to misusing more than $71,000 in bail funds and forging a recognizance form to conceal her wrongdoing, according to the Massachusetts AG’s office.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Known as knockers in England, kobolds also live in caves and mines and make knocking noises directing human miners where to dig.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Collins is no doubt licking his chops studying tape of another Patriots rookie, left guard Jared Wilson, who allowed two sacks last weekend.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Chirping is also a friendly call for attention, while gentle nipping and licking mimic grooming rituals.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammering. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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