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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hammering
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
An abduction sequence ties the audience’s nerves in knots with cinematographer Isaac Bauman’s athletic tracking shot loping up the stairs to Margot’s apartment accompanied by Gavin Brivik’s pulse-hammering score.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Yes, Super Mario Galaxy Movie will have all the hammering power of Imax and PLF screens.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 6 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
People must directly participate to share the experience, such as Painting to Hammer a Nail (1961/1966), which involves hammering a nail into a blank wall.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Daily News, 23 May 2026
The winning Democrats — Hubbard and Alicia Johnson — scored lopsided victories after hammering the Republican incumbents on the campaign trail for raising Georgia Power customers’ bills.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Noun
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
An abduction sequence ties the audience’s nerves in knots with cinematographer Isaac Bauman’s athletic tracking shot loping up the stairs to Margot’s apartment accompanied by Gavin Brivik’s pulse-hammering score.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Yes, Super Mario Galaxy Movie will have all the hammering power of Imax and PLF screens.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Crow-Armstrong hit first solo shot in the sixth, hammering Roupp's high sinker deep to right to tie it at 1-1.
—CBS News, 6 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
People must directly participate to share the experience, such as Painting to Hammer a Nail (1961/1966), which involves hammering a nail into a blank wall.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Daily News, 23 May 2026
The winning Democrats — Hubbard and Alicia Johnson — scored lopsided victories after hammering the Republican incumbents on the campaign trail for raising Georgia Power customers’ bills.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 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
-
And as far as drawing comparisons to Damian Lillard’s trade demands from Portland, this is not the case of a player insisting on solely going to one team.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Lee also warned about drawing strong conclusions from early returns, estimating that only about 40% of ballots cast had been counted through Wednesday.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The play started with Muncy hitting a ground ball up the first-base line.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
-
London’s Christian Olivares, a USC pledge, extended the lead in the third inning, hitting a two-run home run to left field.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 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
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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
-
In 2015, when Jay was introducing Tidal, Drake chose Apple Music instead, forging his own path as a mogul rather than teaming up with Jay.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
-
Senate Republicans are once again forging ahead with a reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement agencies through fiscal year 2029.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Sounds like big savings knocking on your doorstep.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammering. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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