as in grinding (out)
to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort
the city council hammered out new commercial development regulations with input from residents, business owners, and environmental activists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 out
Harris said officials are still hammering out next steps with the team.
—
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Stocks fell sharply early in Thursday's session, but steadily clawed their way back as investors appeared to take heart from news reports that Iran and Oman are hammering out a plan to oversee traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Aponte’s predecessor Kevin Abrams was the Giants‘ salary cap lead in previous years, most memorably hammering out the early versions of Daniel Jones’ contract extension in the lobby of the JW Marriott here in March 2023.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Artificial intelligence, real money When actors and studios arrived at the bargaining table this week to start hammering out the next SAG-AFTRA contract, a key figure in the conversation was not in the room.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
The statement said that Patagonia and Pattie Gonia—who uses female pronouns—spent several years hammering out an agreement over the activist’s use of the brand’s name.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Following Witkoff and Kushner’s visit to the Kremlin in early December, a flurry of high-level diplomacy involving Zelensky and European leaders ensued, with much talk about hammering out the finer points of a potential agreement.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Lawmakers have gone home for the holidays without hammering out a resolution to address the expiring ObamaCare subsidies as tensions flare amid health care negotiations.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 22 Dec. 2025
Similarly, structured equity entails hammering out a capital solution specific to each company; there is no formulaic approach.
—Mike Terwilliger, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Stocks fell sharply early in Thursday's session, but steadily clawed their way back as investors appeared to take heart from news reports that Iran and Oman are hammering out a plan to oversee traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Aponte’s predecessor Kevin Abrams was the Giants‘ salary cap lead in previous years, most memorably hammering out the early versions of Daniel Jones’ contract extension in the lobby of the JW Marriott here in March 2023.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Artificial intelligence, real money When actors and studios arrived at the bargaining table this week to start hammering out the next SAG-AFTRA contract, a key figure in the conversation was not in the room.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
The statement said that Patagonia and Pattie Gonia—who uses female pronouns—spent several years hammering out an agreement over the activist’s use of the brand’s name.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Following Witkoff and Kushner’s visit to the Kremlin in early December, a flurry of high-level diplomacy involving Zelensky and European leaders ensued, with much talk about hammering out the finer points of a potential agreement.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Lawmakers have gone home for the holidays without hammering out a resolution to address the expiring ObamaCare subsidies as tensions flare amid health care negotiations.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 22 Dec. 2025
Similarly, structured equity entails hammering out a capital solution specific to each company; there is no formulaic approach.
—Mike Terwilliger, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammering out
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
-
City officials are developing a long-term plan to modernize the Elk Grove Auto Mall, an economic driver for the city that generates about one-third of its sales tax revenue, as officials prepare for changes in the automotive industry.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
-
Deadline has learned that the streamer is developing Hit Man, a series inspired by the 2024 AGC Studios feature that was co-written, produced and headlined by Glen Powell and co-written, directed and produced by Richard Linklater.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Talent deals Keeso, who has a multi-year deal with Bell, is working up Cats in the Plateau, a six-part comedy about two garbage men in Montréal, who start a gang.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
Starting from bottom of bowl and working up, mix with your hands (like tossing a salad) until mixture starts to look dry again.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Fairmont draws a diverse crowd—from business travelers to couples celebrating anniversaries, to casual visitors—creating a lively but laid-back atmosphere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
Following the death of legendary entertainer, journalist and humanitarian Will Rogers in 1935, the roadway was designated the Will Rogers Memorial Highway, creating a lasting connection between Santa Monica and Rogers’ hometown of Claremore, Oklahoma.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
So there’s a chance most players are away from Santa Clara, vacationing or working out before the start of training camp in late July.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Bath & Body Works Analyst Lorraine Hutchinson said the turnaround is working out for the body care and fragrance company.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammering out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammering%20out. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
