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
Demonstrators lined up for the second week in a row outside of the county administration building over what some see as a heavy-handed federal immigration crackdown.
—
Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
For now, Democrats seem content riding the growing blowback to the administration’s heavy-handed immigration crackdown and lingering affordability concerns, but Trump is taking steps to try and limit the damage to Republicans.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Residents of Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, which have each faced heavy-handed federal crackdowns, are showing us how this is done.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
So, if immigration isn’t the problem, what chance does ICE’s heavy-handed approach have to improve public safety?
—Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
For now, Democrats seem content riding the growing blowback to the administration’s heavy-handed immigration crackdown and lingering affordability concerns, but Trump is taking steps to try and limit the damage to Republicans.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Residents of Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, which have each faced heavy-handed federal crackdowns, are showing us how this is done.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
So, if immigration isn’t the problem, what chance does ICE’s heavy-handed approach have to improve public safety?
—Aubrey Jackson Soller, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
-
Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Audrey Sterk of Audrey Sterk Design teamed up with Chip Webster Architecture and Reid Builders to use durable composite countertops and weather-resistant cabinetry to ensure this outdoor kitchen will last, even in this harsh island environment.—
Megan Johnson,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But weighting the draft odds is a delicate business — and one the Bulls remain committed to approaching with a clumsy commitment to competitiveness.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Kurt's key takeaway Scammers are no longer relying only on clumsy emails or obvious red flags.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Such improvements are crucial for devices like drones that operate with strict limitations on computing power and battery capacity, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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Wife killed in February airstrikes Mojtaba Khamenei was a particular target for criticism by protesters during unrest over the death of a young woman in police custody in 2022, after she was arrested for allegedly breaching the Islamic Republic's strict dress codes.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Our awkward hero copes with grief through humor while navigating relationships with her type-A sister (Sian Clifford), her nasty stepmother (Olivia Colman), and, in season 2, a hot priest (Andrew Scott).—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
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This profound snow drought comes at an especially awkward time, compounding a quarter-century of regional aridification that has drained the nation’s two largest reservoirs to precarious depths.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Despite his progressive views, he was widely seen as an authoritarian and a despot.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Scientific institutions represent a potential pillar of support for an increasingly authoritarian government.—
Jenna Norton,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In 2008, Klay Thompson of Santa Margarita scored 37 points and made a record seven three-pointers at the notoriously tough Arco Arena in Sacramento to help the Eagles win the Division III title over Sacramento 72-55.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Punch made multiple tough baskets and got to the free-throw line as the Jayhawks struggled with his physicality.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Keys said part of the challenge was attracting new high school students because of the academy’s rigorous curriculum.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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All attendees would have to undergo rigorous COVID testing.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a stern warning to the Iranians after an Iranian missile was launched at Turkey and was shot down by NATO defense forces.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Ye allegedly demanded in a stern voice mimicked on the stand by Holding.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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