hammering out

verb

present participle of hammer out
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

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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 out Mandel started hammering out the pilot with showrunner Patrick Somerville (the two currently have permission to sell the scripts should another network show interest) but spent most of her days thinking about what her next novel might be. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 However, both sides of the debate left the door open to hammering out a potential compromise in the coming days before either version faces a vote by the full City Council. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 After hammering out the details in recent weeks, the Miami-Dade school board agreed Wednesday on a contract for Rafael Villalobos to take the reins as superintendent of the district. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Fox is the first NFL partner to publicly assert a lack of interest in hammering out an early revision of its existing media contract. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Israeli and Lebanese negotiating teams are set to meet again there to continue hammering out a plan under which Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 Once Alex Ovechkin made his decision, hammering out the details took only a few minutes. — Bailey Johnson, Washington Post, 6 July 2026 Pritzker needs to take a hands-on approach, gathering all the stakeholders well in advance of the November veto session and hammering out a workable regimen, to ensure lawmakers have something on which to vote. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammering out
  1. forging
  2. developing
  3. working up
  4. creating
  5. working out
Verb
  • Under those conditions, forging a digital signature becomes mathematically no more difficult than attacking an unpadded system.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The results again were heartening, with Conwell at times forging a spirited undersized backcourt chemistry with starting point guard Davion Mitchell, and at other times injecting a vigor into the second unit with Pelle Larsson.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of forging
Verb
  • The official also said developing different weapon systems was increasingly urgent, arguing that the country’s armed forces needed to defend national security and deter external threats.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Back in downtown Juneau, Huna Totem is developing Áak’w Landing, a cruise dock and waterfront development targeting its first full season in 2028.
    — Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of developing
Verb
  • Some have already talked to a parent; others are working up the nerve.
    — Carolyn O'Laughlin, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • While working up the nerve to kill her, Loftis discovers that Ruth is secretly the mother of his late wife Lauren (Meredith Casey), making his son Evan (Kingston Rumi Southwick) the final descendant.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 June 2026
Definition of working up
Verb
  • Many Brisbanites, Simon included, began to grow this place together, creating a city that reflected their own ambitions—and themselves.
    — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Valentin wants staffers with an enthusiasm and energy who enjoy meeting people, saying that creating a welcoming atmosphere is a key part of making a gym succeed.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of creating
Verb
  • Researchers are still working out exactly how the parasite causes this change, but studies have found changes in proteins in the host’s brain as the parasite manipulates it.
    — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In October 2026, Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter that the creative team was still working out the new show’s airing schedule and considering whether to introduce the spinoff through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of working out

Browse Nearby Words

hammering (away)
hammering out
hammer out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hammering out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammering%20out. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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