1
as in draws
to shape with a hammer
medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hits
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 licks
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in scolds
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammers
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
That last part proves most elusive, as the film hammers home repeatedly, though not very subtly.
—NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The series really hammers home Scorsese’s exploration of good and evil in his work.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
From Pong to Fortnite, Minor’s investigation is a broad stroke that really hammers home just how vast and varied the gaming industry is.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Fishing for trophy muskies is all about the eat — that moment of ambush when a big fish finally commits and hammers your lure.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Over and over again, Cameron hammers his favorite themes.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
That last part proves most elusive, as the film hammers home repeatedly, though not very subtly.
—NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The series really hammers home Scorsese’s exploration of good and evil in his work.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
From Pong to Fortnite, Minor’s investigation is a broad stroke that really hammers home just how vast and varied the gaming industry is.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Fishing for trophy muskies is all about the eat — that moment of ambush when a big fish finally commits and hammers your lure.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammers
Verb
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Hollywood Beach Hollywood, Florida A perennial favorite for family beach vacations in Florida, Clearwater Beach draws legions of visitors each year to its sugary white sand and clear shallow waters.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
-
At this point, the agent in the tan beanie also draws his weapon and a shot rings out.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Alongside the likes of Slow Horses and Bad Sisters, Criminal Record has been one of Apple TV’s biggest UK hits.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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This hits home for us in Massachusetts, and residents should be paying attention.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
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After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While some online scolds didn’t like Johnson’s profanity, this has played well in Chicago, a city that has been ravenous for a winning Bears team since the 20th Super Bowl.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Or on Bluesky with the joke scolds, or on Mastodon with the Linux hackers, or on Threads with the voice-forward brands?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And one night, a bunch of the editors of The Dartmouth Review descended on the shantytown protests and, with sledgehammers, slammed them down.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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Chicago police are warning about a string of burglaries over four days last week where thieves used sledgehammers and crowbars to bust through glass front doors or windows of businesses across the city.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Subscribe today When the most populous nation on Earth forges a trade deal with a bloc that comprises nearly 15% of the world’s GDP, the ramifications will be widespread — and not just in monetary terms.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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Advertisement After Moro’s death, Fabione is in hiding, and his ever-loyal friend Toni forges passport documents to aid his escape, in exchange for Moro’s complete, uncensored memoirs in the Red Brigade’s possession.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
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Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In the present, Simon (now played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) pounds his car’s steering wheel, driving away from wreckage.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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The claw then releases the broken bikes and pounds them down once more for good measure.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammers. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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