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
However, heavy-handed immigration tactics have eroded some of those gains.
—
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Trump has also surprised some by taking a heavy-handed approach with private businesses.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The religion is heavy-handed, but also surprisingly powerful — especially once the volcano goes boom.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
The heavy-handed sentimentality is a welcome, necessary respite.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Trump has also surprised some by taking a heavy-handed approach with private businesses.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The religion is heavy-handed, but also surprisingly powerful — especially once the volcano goes boom.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
The heavy-handed sentimentality is a welcome, necessary respite.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
-
The triumphant narrative began to fray when exceedingly harsh lockdown measures could no longer contain the spread of the virus, and the staggering human cost in the name of protecting lives defied all logic.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
There are no easy fixes, so figuring out how to cushion the harsh impact will be the basis of negotiations with other parties in the Japanese legislature, the Diet.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Maggie is a snoop—and a clumsy one.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But the character’s state of servitude is largely hidden in clumsy blocking.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The therapy will debut at Relive Health’s Stuart, Florida location, thanks to recent updates in Florida’s regulatory framework allowing advanced stem cell treatments under strict medical oversight.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The weddings are planned by celebrity event stylist Slomique Hawrylo and adhere to a strict budget.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s six games without a goal now for their new striker, who still looks awkward in this side.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The onion on top is a little awkward to cut and to eat, so think of this as a knife-and-fork cornbread.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The developments led Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s socialist and authoritarian leader, to threaten to declare a state of emergency earlier this week.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The book is a policy handbook meant to address the realities of political life following the turmoil of the French Revolution, presenting a Christian alternative to both the authoritarian secular liberalism and counterrevolutionary movements of the day.—
Indianapolis Star,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
TelevisaUnivsion issued a stern statement of displeasure at the situation.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
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In a series of rulings on motions brought by Combs after his conviction, Judge Subramanian has been stern.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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