heavy-handed
adjective
heavy-hand·ed
ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: clumsy
2
: oppressive, harsh
heavy-handedly
adverb
heavy-handedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of heavy-handed in a Sentence
the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation
felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant
Recent Examples on the Web
Walker addresses this specifically in a few places in the story, but never in a heavy-handed way.
—
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Opponents argued that heavy-handed regulation would strangle the development of AI, and force AI companies to leave the state.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2024
The more heavy-handed opening and closing entries, however, work neither as exercises in complex storytelling nor as period mysteries.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2024
During the 2006 war, the militant group’s Al-Manar television was on air for the duration of the 34-day conflict, despite Israel’s heavy-handed bombing campaign.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heavy-handed 
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Opponents argued that heavy-handed regulation would strangle the development of AI, and force AI companies to leave the state.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2024
The more heavy-handed opening and closing entries, however, work neither as exercises in complex storytelling nor as period mysteries.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2024
During the 2006 war, the militant group’s Al-Manar television was on air for the duration of the 34-day conflict, despite Israel’s heavy-handed bombing campaign.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heavy-handed
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heavy-handed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near heavy-handed
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
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