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
The collection will go under the gavel in New York on December 7, where it is expected to hammer down for roughly $9 million. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026 Ukrainian strikes have absolutely hammered Russian refining capacity (which is exactly their purpose, to bring the war home to Russia) and collapsed Russian diesel exports. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
Ever since the Dodgers dropped a billion-dollar hammer on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the rest of baseball has melted down. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 If this happens a third time, expect a whack from Maxwell’s silver hammer. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Oct. 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
  • Safety questions at Starbase Worker safety at SpaceX’s Starbase site in South Texas has also drawn scrutiny.
    — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Esmeralda Muñoz, 70, said her family was furious that agents showed up to their home in full tactical gear with guns drawn to arrest her husband before dawn.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw
Verb
  • Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For the past few years, Baba Stiltz has been hitting the open road with nothing but a guitar, a tape deck, and a few pedals.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • A little girl pounding her fists and screaming; none of the visitors nor the staff were allowed to hold her to provide comfort.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Pistons pounded the inside and scored 24 second-chance points.
    — Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of pound
Verb
  • But leaders seeking to encourage tourism scolded residents who warned of the danger on social media.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • From behind a tree, Neil and Florence observed Brenda scolding little Neil.
    — S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • He was arrested last week after allegedly using a sledgehammer to damage the World War II monument near Marine Corps Base Quantico.
    — Sophia Compton , Jake Gibson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Europol report, meanwhile, revealed that these heists are increasingly using tools such as sledgehammers, axes, crowbars –– and even explosives.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sledgehammer
Verb
  • NewFilmmakers Los Angeles has announced four new board members and forged a strategic partnership in the United Arab Emirates with the Sharjah Intl.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And yes, in 1861, Richard Cadbury came up with the Valentine box of chocolates, thus forging an indissoluble link between candy and the lucrative holiday calendar for all time to come.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of forge
Verb
  • Nantz tried to knock the ball from Watt, but hit his wrist hard on the football and immediately grabbed his hand.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • But several people who played key roles in knocking the two candidates off the ballot have close ties to the congressman’s political operation.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Occupying a particularly picturesque and secluded stretch of headland, where Aleppo pines drape rocky coves and the cerulean Mediterranean waves lick the similarly shaded horizon, the resort is the hospitality group’s first foray into the Balearics.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Some wagged their tails as people approached, licked their hands and even liked to be petted.
    — Alida de Flamingh, The Conversation, 19 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hammer

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