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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 incumbent’s campaign has hammered McCann for his voting record as a state legislator and in municipal government. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The Bell campaign returns fire by regularly hammering Bush about a series of scandals, such as a 2024 Justice Department investigation for using campaign funds to pay her husband for security work after receiving death threats. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
The night of the title fight, Duke is attacked by two thugs who smash his hand with a hammer and, in the ensuing chaos, kill somebody close to him. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 Surveillance video shows a pair of thieves using a hammer to smash the glass to burst into Lurk Cards and Collectibles in Gloucester Township. — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 30 July 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
  • With 20,000 square feet of event space spanning 16 meeting rooms, the property draws business travelers, and Omni Kids welcomes families with perks at check-in and locally inspired activities.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The event could draw at least an additional half a million visitors, Spanish authorities say.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of draw
Verb
  • That was a new record and only once before has the number of moves hit double figures.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Bryce Eldridge hit his 12th home run, an impressive opposite-field shot.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Eddie Williams was taking a merciless pounding against her planking as the sodden wreck heaved and rolled.
    — JAMES D. OXLEY, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Kelce spent the offseason pounding beers in VIP suites on the Eras Tour, married Taylor Swift in July, and expanded his media empire.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of pound
Verb
  • The curious boys climbed onto the roof of their home for a better look, but climbed back down when scolded by their grandmother.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • In the 1970s, Disabled students in Berkeley took sledgehammers to curbs and built ramps themselves.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Investigators on Monday were asking the public to help find masked suspects who used sledgehammers to smash display cases and steal more than $200,000 worth of jewelry at a store in Yuba City’s mall.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of sledgehammer
Verb
  • Fighting games are a cross-cultural nexus that spark heated rivalries but ultimately forge lasting connections.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Black Dragon Society members forged relationships with Muslim nationalists in Russia and in the Ottoman Empire in order to build a pro-Japanese network.
    — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of forge
Verb
  • Once two cottages, now knocked into one, it has been charmingly dressed up by interior designer Laura Stephens.
    — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The officer was knocked unconscious and rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Her entire face got licked clean off her head when suburban floodwaters breached the cardboard hull protecting Kath’s basement memorabilia stack a few months before I was born.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s truly nothing like licking that paper lid, then shoveling that tiny tongue depressor into a child-sized serving of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hammer

Nglish: Translation of hammer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hammer

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