1
as in harsh
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heavy-handed
The initiative, which was marked by controversial arrests and clashes with protesters, was decried by local leaders as heavy-handed and unjustified.
—
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
No other product is handed over to the government with such fussy and heavy-handed interference.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Michelle is really heavy-handed with the storyline work in the writing session, constantly trying to foist pressure upon the girls.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Trotter is a downhill, heavy-handed tone-setter with real pedigree.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
No other product is handed over to the government with such fussy and heavy-handed interference.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Michelle is really heavy-handed with the storyline work in the writing session, constantly trying to foist pressure upon the girls.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Trotter is a downhill, heavy-handed tone-setter with real pedigree.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
-
The lawyers also argue that Combs' sentence was too harsh, saying the trial judge wrongly based it in part on a conclusion that the crimes involved fraud and coercion and that Combs was a leader or organizer of criminal activity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Focused on a 2021 expedition in which Icelandic climber John Snorri Sigurjónsson and the Pakistani father-and-son team Ali and Sajid Sadpara attempt to become the first to summit K2 in winter, when conditions are at their harshest.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even young Oklahoma City required a clumsy postseason audition.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The driver and his accomplice then mounted a clumsy getaway that resulted in their scooter crashing about three blocks from the scene, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Rather than a strict split of half of time spent at work and half on family matters, many people are embracing a more fluid concept of work-life integration.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
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Three developments – higher oil prices, a stronger dollar, and stricter US financial conditions – have been headwinds for other currencies.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The few who described speaking with her told me that their interactions had been very brief—just a short, awkward hello.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Communication can be blunt and awkward.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Founded by George Soros after the fall of communism, the university says the authoritarian government of Viktor Orbán forced 90% of its teaching operations out of the country in 2019, leaving behind a stark symbol of how far the nation has moved during the prime minister’s 16-year regime.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
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Reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, experts say What's branding in business is problematic in governance.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
One factor is that the Highlanders, a Division 3 team, haven’t faced the toughest schedule.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Early analyses have begun to link genes to traits such as drought tolerance and temperature adaptation, but researchers say more rigorous work is needed to confirm those links before they can be used to guide restoration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Nicoletta Richardson,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The book’s playful interrogation of traditional gender expectations is sharpened with the introduction of 1855 Caleb, a fantasy and a nightmare, a stern, quiet man who Natalie finds both terrifying and alluring.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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The problems surfaced in February, prompting a stern letter from the airport to the software provider, which has been paid about $5 million since 2019 to upgrade and operate the payment system and equipment for MIA’s parking garages.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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