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
But while a majority of Cubans surveyed support a heavy-handed approach towards Cuba’s government, many would like to see a softer strategy towards its people who have come to the United States.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
However, Chu warned that storytelling can’t be heavy-handed or feel like homework for the audience.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
And although arrests have soared, the heavy-handed approach has had little measurable effect on crime — and is destabilizing communities across the state.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Her narration, once heavy-handed, is now pared down, functioning only as thin connective tissue between Rue’s desert misadventures and the rest of the cast’s Los Angeles lives.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
However, Chu warned that storytelling can’t be heavy-handed or feel like homework for the audience.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
And although arrests have soared, the heavy-handed approach has had little measurable effect on crime — and is destabilizing communities across the state.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Her narration, once heavy-handed, is now pared down, functioning only as thin connective tissue between Rue’s desert misadventures and the rest of the cast’s Los Angeles lives.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
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The barren landscape, despite its harsh conditions (daytime temperatures often exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit), was—and still is—famous for its connection to many legends of treasure.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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Drivers may also experience smoother brake operation because the system avoids the harsh pedal pulsing commonly associated with older anti-lock braking systems.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Furthermore, Sharpe spent six months learning how to tinkle the ivories, an impressive commitment which pays off during the pivotal piano battles and ensures a welcome absence of clumsy cutaways from fingers to face.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
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Then with a little nudging, the clumsy newborn finds the udder bulging between the cow’s back legs and hungrily suckles colostrum so critical for its first feeding.—
Susan Koch,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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And Shuter is also reporting that Lively wanted a strict NDA during settlement negotiations, but the Baldoni camp refused.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
11 May 2026
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Baltimore residents support stricter penalties Parents who spoke to WJZ-TV supported stricter penalties.—
Drew Aunkst,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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In a video about an erratic Uber driver, a recognizable dynamic—awkward small talk, impatience to set off—escalates into a life-threatening one.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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Hannah and Garrett’s connection begins with an awkward encounter.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Magyar—sitting in the front row, rewatching a film that had helped establish him as a global icon of anti-authoritarian resistance—was less than four days away from taking power.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko attended the festivities in the Russian capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Chase Meidroth made a shuffle toss to second base for a force out, but the Sox couldn’t complete what would have been a tough double play.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Our legislators must make some tough decisions; avoiding the issues is not acceptable.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Many have traditionally mischaracterized nursing as feminine and subservient, but becoming an effective nurse in the modern health care landscape requires candidates to pursue complex and rigorous training.—
Nicholas A. Giordano,
STAT,
8 May 2026
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Every cybersecurity article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of cybersecurity products.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Yet Gilgeous-Alexander’s own diagnosis of his night, stern and accountable, showed no trace of concern.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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His father, a billboard magnate, was a stern man who would whip his son with a razor strap for stepping out of line, but the youngster refused to capitulate to his dad’s authority.—
Paul Bond,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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