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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heavy-handed
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
Liam’s detention became another flashpoint in the criticism over heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics used by the feds and fueled mounting outrage from community members and officials alike.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Will the specifics be light-handed or heavy-handed?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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
Liam’s detention became another flashpoint in the criticism over heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics used by the feds and fueled mounting outrage from community members and officials alike.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Will the specifics be light-handed or heavy-handed?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
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Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Bathroom Fixtures There are no harsh or abrasive chemicals involved in steam cleaning bathroom fixtures.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lizzie McGuire made viewers feel seen because Duff was clumsy and awkward, falling into platters of spaghetti and getting dumped by her first boyfriend.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.—
Kendall Hunter,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For now, the Supreme Court ruling has effectively installed a strict near-term ceiling on trade barriers, substantially neutralizing the threat of runaway tariff escalation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
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Leger Fernández pointed to a strict voter identification bill, known as the SAVE America Act, that Democrats have warned would disenfranchise tens of millions of eligible voters, including women who have changed their last names after getting married.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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When cutting food, holding the meat with the fork in an awkward vertical position.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Other awkward—and more viral—moments included OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stealing the spotlight from Modi by refusing to hold hands for a photo op designed to be a show of unity and triumph.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Top prize, the Golden Bear for best film, went to Ilker Çatak’s Yellow Letters, a drama following Derya (Özgü Namal) and Aziz (Tansu Biçer), two Turkish theater artists who lose their jobs due to political persecution from Turkey’s authoritarian government.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Feb. 2026
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Democrats have warned that the administration is pushing an authoritarian approach that violates constitutional rights, and polls show most people disapprove of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Takaichi has proposed tougher policies on immigration and foreigners, something that resonates with a growing frustration in Japan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Bryant was tough to stop and scored nine of her 23 points in the first quarter.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Steele learned early how to manage time with precision, often creating music during the narrow windows left between rigorous academic commitments.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Regarding the involvement of former CEOs in institutional decision-making, Molinaroli notes that their practical insights could be tapped more frequently through diverse councils, clear mandates, and rigorous conflict-of-interest safeguards to prevent undue influence.—
Nia Bowers,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The captain ultimately ordered lifeboats lowered, and the ship went down stern first.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Perhaps the solution is as simple as Miss Manners issuing a polite, but stern, PSA or a witty bon mot discouraging this practice.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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