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
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Ambrey Taylor hammers her eighth homer of the year off Texas pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez, and the Tide are rolling.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Apr. 2026
Investors who rushed to lend money to real estate developers in the United Arab Emirates are nursing losses as the Iran war hammers their bonds and threatens to stall a borrowing binge.
—Selcuk Gokoluk, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Using a large mallet, the magician hammers the automaton, played in the film by a real-life human actor, into smaller and smaller sizes.
—G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Hartthijs de Vries, the 29-year-old who has been with the team for every year of their existence, hammers the pace at the front to keep the breakaway in check.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Ambrey Taylor hammers her eighth homer of the year off Texas pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez, and the Tide are rolling.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Apr. 2026
Investors who rushed to lend money to real estate developers in the United Arab Emirates are nursing losses as the Iran war hammers their bonds and threatens to stall a borrowing binge.
—Selcuk Gokoluk, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Using a large mallet, the magician hammers the automaton, played in the film by a real-life human actor, into smaller and smaller sizes.
—G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammers
Verb
-
The proximity to Piedmont Park and the neighborhood's walkability is part of what draws newcomers to Midtown.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
The title, from which the band also draws its name, describes the pay bump workers are mandated to get in times of economic flux, setting the table for the band’s ever-unsparing critiques of life under capitalism.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
When a heat wave hits, millions of air conditioners switch on at once, straining the electric grid and driving up the risk of outages — and residents’ power bills.—
Kiki Sideris,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Zesica Flutter-sleeve Smocked Midi Dress Flattering and versatile, this dress hits the sweet spot between refined and playful.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
While Deborah licks her wounds from bombing very, very hard, the Frank interview plays.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Or tie scolds to the ducking stool again.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
McMahon likes to remind scolds that wrestling is a morality play.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thieves armed with sledgehammers left a South Loop business damaged, all while targeting slot machines and an ATM.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Eckert instructed the dads and sons to run a few hundred yards with kettlebells, sledgehammers, and sandbags, then to smash open the sandbags.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wardley started out in white-collar boxing rather than the amateur scene that forges so many champions.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
-
The color forges a deep connection with nature that simultaneously relaxes and energizes.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That game enabled the younger brother to mentally shift from a pitcher prone to walks to a pitcher who now consistently pounds the zone.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammers. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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