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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 hammering

Noun

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 In non-CinemaCon news, the looksmaxx influencer managed to unite the internets in mocking his dew-eyed meltdown and interview walk-off over being asked modestly difficult questions about his reputation (instead of being asked, say, which moisturizer is best for post-jaw hammering). — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026

Verb

The Bell campaign returns fire by regularly hammering Bush about a series of scandals, such as a 2024 Justice Department investigation for using campaign funds to pay her husband for security work after receiving death threats. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 But by leaving out Clark, people start hammering their socials, thereby injecting Ion and the WNBA into people's feeds. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 But those efforts, and social-media callouts in general, can seem like a giant club hammering a glass nail. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 In Crow’s mind, these elections will show voters that Democrats have learned how to run effectively on national-security issues, while still hammering Republicans on the twin tentpoles of cost and corruption. — Philip Elliott, Time, 27 July 2026 Spain and Argentina last played in another friendly before the 2018 World Cup, with Spain hammering a Messi-less Argentina 6-1. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Rock luminaries including Jackson Browne, Beck, Karen O and Jenny Lewis reimagine Anderson’s beloved needle drops, culminating in a raucous Bowl singalong punctuated by Bill Murray hammering a $9 desk bell. — Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026 Belgium took an early lead in the 9th minute via Charles De Ketelaere, but the joint hosts equalized half an hour into the game, with Malik Tillman hammering home. — Lee Ying Shan,lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 July 2026 While the Sooryavanshi show played out, Abhishek Sharma was busy hammering the lion’s share of a 50-run stand. — ABC News, 4 July 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

Alongside drawing widespread critical acclaim, brought the immigration debate mainstream American cinema.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
The prospect of labor strife looms over the rest of this Padres/MLB season, what with the labor pact due to expire in December and both sides already drawing bright red lines in public statements.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of drawing

Verb

The 27-year-old Adell has 16 homers and 62 RBIs this season, one year after hitting a career-best 37 homers with 98 RBIs.

— David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Across Europe, other historic objects have also been revealed this summer due to the record-breaking heat and crippling droughts hitting the continent’s waterways.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

There’s truly nothing like licking that paper lid, then shoveling that tiny tongue depressor into a child-sized serving of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of licking

Verb

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
Do not punish your dog by scolding or yelling at them, as this may make your dog's behavior worse out of fear or stress.

— Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

With luck the new Prime Minister’s proposals will go some way towards forging that alliance.

— Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
The two immediately bonded over ambient music, tape loops, orchestral composition and drone, forging a friendship that soon extended into touring, live performance and eventually composing together.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 31 July 2026

Definition of forging

Verb

Elarms-Orr didn’t think Kincaid was down and laid a sizable hit on the tight end, knocking him to the ground again.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Wahab said she’s been hard at work on the campaign trail hosting town hall discussions, knocking door-to-door and meeting constituents in the district.

— Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026