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
Some critics of the Jan. 6 cases have said the DOJ was unusually heavy-handed with the rioters who committed misdemeanors.
—
Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
Now Page steps into the firing line against the heavy-handed Magomedov as the betting underdog.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
But this heavy-handed assault on direct democracy is not the answer.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025
This proclamation marks a significant departure from the previous administration's heavy-handed regulations, which stifled both innovation and growth in the energy, bitcoin, and AI sectors.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heavy-handed 
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Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
Now Page steps into the firing line against the heavy-handed Magomedov as the betting underdog.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
But this heavy-handed assault on direct democracy is not the answer.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025
This proclamation marks a significant departure from the previous administration's heavy-handed regulations, which stifled both innovation and growth in the energy, bitcoin, and AI sectors.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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 8 Feb. 2025.
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