as in pounding
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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
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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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Recent Examples of hammering
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
Wrexham were fourth bottom of the fledgling table after the third of those three losses, a 3-1 hammering by Queens Park Rangers.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 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
Every golfer knows the feeling — standing over a shot that matters, heart hammering, hands fighting to stay steady.
—Ryan Brennan
april 14, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
The latest batch of America's Got Talent auditions included a husband-and-wife team who did stunts such as hammering a board to his face.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Walker gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead in the fourth by hammering David Peterson's fastball into the center-field seats for a three-run shot.
—CBS News, 10 June 2026
Russia’s air attacks have grown in sheer volume in recent months, hammering Ukraine with more drones and high-speed missiles than ever before, as Moscow’s forces struggle to make meaningful progress on the ground.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Scientists predict a particularly strong El Niño phenomenon this year that could trigger widespread droughts and floods, hammering the yields of staple crops.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 June 2026
Hulst kept hammering lap after lap through the second mile but still could not shake Serna.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
After two opening league defeats at home to Brighton and a 4-0 hammering away to Brentford, big fan protests were planned against the Glazer family before the Liverpool game.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 29 May 2026
One drop after another, slow and then steady and then hammering down from above.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Noun
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
Wrexham were fourth bottom of the fledgling table after the third of those three losses, a 3-1 hammering by Queens Park Rangers.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 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
Every golfer knows the feeling — standing over a shot that matters, heart hammering, hands fighting to stay steady.
—Ryan Brennan
april 14, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Ray struggles to hide his drink, to get a drink, to get away on his own and pursue his Sisyphean labors of hammering a bucket of baseballs off a tee and then wandering through the field to collect them and start again.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
The latest batch of America's Got Talent auditions included a husband-and-wife team who did stunts such as hammering a board to his face.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Walker gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead in the fourth by hammering David Peterson's fastball into the center-field seats for a three-run shot.
—CBS News, 10 June 2026
Russia’s air attacks have grown in sheer volume in recent months, hammering Ukraine with more drones and high-speed missiles than ever before, as Moscow’s forces struggle to make meaningful progress on the ground.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Scientists predict a particularly strong El Niño phenomenon this year that could trigger widespread droughts and floods, hammering the yields of staple crops.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 June 2026
Hulst kept hammering lap after lap through the second mile but still could not shake Serna.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
After two opening league defeats at home to Brighton and a 4-0 hammering away to Brentford, big fan protests were planned against the Glazer family before the Liverpool game.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 29 May 2026
One drop after another, slow and then steady and then hammering down from above.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammering
Noun
-
But perhaps the constant pounding was just too much for the pier, built in 1973.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Most of those killed died during the second pounding.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
In Game 3, Wembanyama shocked Knicks fans by pushing Jalen Brunson to the floor without drawing a foul.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Indonesia is drawing the wrong kind of attention in emerging‑market circles.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Pages followed with a single and Keller loaded the bases by hitting Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy with two outs.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
That licking instinct may have led Jacobs’s elk to an area known as Flag Swamp, a one-acre wetland filled with blue flag irises and shrubby willow trees.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Finally, monitor pets for behavioral changes, as pets may experience pain, licking or chewing at a wound, loss of appetite and lethargy.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
On March 12, the judge sought to change the journalists’ seating arrangement in court after scolding them for asking İmamoğlu questions during a hearing.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
-
Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Thursday’s 118-91 thrashing, though, invited more than a Game 7.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
The Fever, perhaps more terribly potent with each passing day, is a two-hour spiral into the thrashing, slowly awakening soul of a Good Middle-Class Liberal.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Today, forging a clear path to healing that balances the needs of all impacted to be seen and heard remains a sacred obligation to remembrance.—
Rev. José Rodriguez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
-
After forging a strategic partnership with China in January, the country is now looking to deepen bilateral trade and investment with Indonesia through the forthcoming ratification of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The complaint alleges Hickey was walking along a spectator pathway outside the arena fence when Party Bus suddenly jumped into the crowd and landed on top of her, knocking Hickey to the ground and crushing her right shoulder and right calf.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
-
After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammering. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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