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 reformists included activists who overran the U.S. Embassy, supporters of the 1979 revolution that brought theocracy to power who had since found its religious rule heavy-handed and intrusive.
—
Karl Vick, Time, 23 June 2025
But Trump has been particularly heavy-handed; for example, in pressuring Europe to reimpose sanctions on Iran during his first term.
—Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Todd Lyons, the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has defended his tactics against criticism that authorities are being too heavy-handed.
—Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
The agency’s workplace raids in Los Angeles spurred days of protests, which in turn prompted a heavy-handed response from the Trump administration.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech - 06, The Hill, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Karl Vick, Time, 23 June 2025
But Trump has been particularly heavy-handed; for example, in pressuring Europe to reimpose sanctions on Iran during his first term.
—Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Todd Lyons, the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has defended his tactics against criticism that authorities are being too heavy-handed.
—Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
The agency’s workplace raids in Los Angeles spurred days of protests, which in turn prompted a heavy-handed response from the Trump administration.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech - 06, The Hill, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
-
Some of them include washing with harsh shampoos, particularly those with sulfates or alcohol; overusing scalp scrubs or clarifying products; and not washing frequently enough.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
16 June 2025
-
Unlike many traditional sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate—two common culprits behind coral bleaching—reef-safe formulas skip the harsh stuff in favor of ocean-friendly alternatives that tend to also be gentler on sensitive skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Herbert includes a range of moments, from earnest attempts to talk about the enslaved people that maintained all these palatial homes to clumsier ones in which they are referred to as workers, insinuating that their labor was paid for instead of forced.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
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The aftermath of Virginia’s clumsy tumble into a rose bed where her exposed cleavage is profusely pricked by thorns lasts for all of one scene.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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At JPMorgan, an internal culture study found that fewer employees feel like their health and well-being are a corporate priority, likely triggered by the bank’s strict five-day in-office policy.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Strategy games require humanlike ability to think across and beyond multiple steps, deal with unpredictable responses, adapt to changing objectives and still conform to a strict rule set.—
Vinay K. Chaudhri,
Scientific American,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Regional flashpoints have now put China in an awkward position.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
At times awkward, but mostly gorgeous, catchy and sincere.—
Darian Sahanaja,
Variety,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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But he is despised by Thailand’s powerful elites, who saw his rule as corrupt, authoritarian and socially destabilizing.—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
19 June 2025
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The country is not like other countries that have had authoritarian histories.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Adopt a zero-trust security model that emphasizes rigorous access rules and constant authentication.—
Rob Lydic,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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The next afternoon, Gomes sat in and watched Ohtani throw a rigorous bullpen session to simulate multiple innings.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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However, strikes between the two nations appeared to continue—leading to a stern rebuke from the president on Tuesday morning.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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Born in Philadelphia in October 1888, Breen shuttled between jobs in public relations, newspaper journalism, and the U.S. consular service, yet the connecting thread was always his deep, proud, stern Irish Catholicism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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