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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to pound
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in sledgehammer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Grace Ashford, New York Times, 2 May 2025
That message is often hammered home by emergency management officials, who remind residents to store enough supplies for five to seven days after a disaster.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 May 2025
Altra running shoes shoes are known for their especially roomy forefoots, which lets your toes spread naturally (a godsend for anyone with bunions, hammer toes, or neuromas).
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
But as Republicans hammer Democrats over crime, the pendulum has swung slightly in recent years, allowing Ms. Hochul to prioritize changes to the state’s guidelines for how people in psychotic distress can be taken in for evaluation.
—Grace Ashford, New York Times, 2 May 2025
That message is often hammered home by emergency management officials, who remind residents to store enough supplies for five to seven days after a disaster.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Noun
On the flip side, there’s a hammer that will come down.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 May 2025
Altra running shoes shoes are known for their especially roomy forefoots, which lets your toes spread naturally (a godsend for anyone with bunions, hammer toes, or neuromas).
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
Roman drew a one-out walk in the top of the first and stole second with Felker at the plate.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
-
That loaded the bases for Miguel Vargas, who drew a walk to bring in the game’s first run.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
That's because the bill also includes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, a measure that must be approved in order to prevent a catastrophic default on the country's debt that could hit sometime in August.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
-
The Reds are hitting .267/.348/.406 with a lead, .237/.311/.405 when tied and .223/.295/.369 when behind.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Thirty minutes later, Combs was pounding on the apartment door with a hammer, Morgan said.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Ahead of the Europa League semi-final, Postecoglou spoke to his players about the Stonecutter’s Credo (also known as pounding the rock), an allegory for persistence even when progress may not be visible.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Donald Trump's second term, meanwhile, has taken a sledgehammer to the European economy's already dire prospects.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
Nothing is fixed with a sledgehammer, only destroyed.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
In that role, Pullin forged new corporate partnerships.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2025
-
As cities like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Doha, Qatar forge their own design heartlands and groom new talent, a rising number of Middle Eastern designers are tapping into the narrative of the Majlis in modern culture.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Since then, she’s knocked on my door and continues to text me with questions, without a please or thank you.—
Eric Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2025
-
The pharmacologist and her sister, 28-year-old Lisa Smith, were knocked backward by the fish, which doctors believe to be a reef shark.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
But Fahy, Alcock, and director Nicole Kassell are also very good at their jobs, and so even downright bizarre moments like Simone chewing Michaela’s used gum or Devon randomly licking a landscaper’s neck wind up making a strange sort of sense.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
-
Jose shrugs, pleads with her to not lick anyone at the inn, and leaves.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share