hammer 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hammernext
1
as in to draw
to shape with a hammer medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs

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2
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner hammer a nail hammered the ball for a home run

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3
as in to pound
to strike repeatedly tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail

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4
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings the critics have long been hammering the stage actress for resorting to the same mixed bag of mannerisms over and over

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hammer

2 of 2

noun

as in sledgehammer

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hammer
Verb
Democrats hope to flip majorities in both the House and the Senate by hammering the GOP over affordability, gas prices and inflation. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 Raman has hammered the mayor on the issue, criticizing Bass for telling Boyle Heights residents the air was safe early on in the fire. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
She had been struck 21 times with a hammer, a court previously heard. — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Regarding Kusama’s performance, both Tsui and Albu deemed the final result solid despite the below-estimate hammer. — Hok-Hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
  1. draw
  2. hit
  3. pound
  4. scold
  5. sledgehammer
  6. forge
  7. knock
  8. lick
Verb
  • What are some of your recent acquisitions, and what drew you to them?
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The gift market has grown because consumers are increasingly drawn to objects with meaning and lasting value, rather than things that feel disposable in an already very digital world.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw
Verb
  • Residential real estate prices may hit a bottom in the third quarter of 2028, the report said.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • For Fleabag and The Tourist producer Two Brothers, the show is the first hitting the international market since its parent, All3Media, was acquired by Banijay.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Extreme tropical weather led to two deaths in Mexico and caused widespread damage over the weekend as Hurricane Simon pounded the country's Pacific coast, authorities said Monday.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rain pounded Las Vegas, which broke a daily rainfall record Sunday.
    — Adrian Florido, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of pound
Verb
  • Others criticized Anderson for seemingly scolding fans and trying to tell them where to sit.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Now the older generation is scolding workers for having a different view on interview etiquette without recognizing the cold reality of today’s job market.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • Its leader, Sergei Mironov, 73, once gained headlines by posing with a symbol of brutality — a sledgehammer given to him by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late Wagner mercenary leader shortly before his failed 2023 mutiny.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Whatever is decided in November, Sterling has taken a sledgehammer to his own reputation.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of sledgehammer
Verb
  • Givenchy was also fascinating, as Marco de Vincenzo is forging a new language for accessories there.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This latest round of funding supports an exciting range of projects from emerging creatives forging new paths to established voices exploring new creative territory.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of forge
Verb
  • The fans were ready to rock, but the Guardians knocked the Sox on their backs.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The 22-year-old emerged from the woods Wednesday evening after a six-day disappearance and knocked on the driver’s side window of a search-and-rescue cruiser.
    — Angie Orellana Hernandez, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Carter is licking his wounds after the rest of the tribe sent Ana home in a blindside.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Typically, only a low-value male resorts to this behavior, turning to foot-licking as the easiest way to ingratiate himself with women.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of lick

Phrases Containing hammer

Browse Nearby Words

hammed
hammer
hammer-and-tongs
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Cite this Entry

“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hammer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hammer

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