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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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
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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
as in sledgehammer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
The rise in bond yields may hammer borrowers, but larger annual payments from low-risk treasuries could offset some of that pain, analysts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
While one artifact showed physical evidence of use as a hammer, the other 14 fossils displayed no obvious physical wear or utilitarian value.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hammer 
Verb
The Rams hammered the Vikings 27-9 Monday night to win their first playoff game since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy three years ago.
—Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
The rise in bond yields may hammer borrowers, but larger annual payments from low-risk treasuries could offset some of that pain, analysts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
The bag had a hammer, duct tape, gloves and a lighter, Ramsey said.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025
While one artifact showed physical evidence of use as a hammer, the other 14 fossils displayed no obvious physical wear or utilitarian value.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Her home takes its cues from Milan design, mixing vintage and artisanal pieces, a style Elsesser has been drawn to since her many travels to Italy’s fashion capital.—
Amy Bradford,
Architectural Digest,
25 Jan. 2025
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Gravity draws the water down into faucets, pools and hydrants below, and then the tanks are refilled with water pumped up from the city’s pipelines.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Since the Arenado trade, McMahon has locked down the hot corner for the Rockies while hitting .243 in his career.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
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At her best, the 26-year-old’s powerful hitting from the baseline is borderline unstoppable, particularly on hard courts.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The first phase of the truce took effect following a three-hour delay during which Israeli warplanes and artillery pounded the Gaza Strip.—
Mohammed Salem,
USA TODAY,
20 Jan. 2025
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As Israel pounded Gaza in response Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Anti-Defamation League is scolding Elon Musk after coming to the billionaire titan’s defense earlier in the week.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
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Those opinions are usually punctuated by scolding those who do not immediately comply.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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So maybe that scene would’ve hammered that theme home with a sledgehammer or at least made a finer point on it.—
Brian Davids,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
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One agent left the vessel and returned with a sledgehammer.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, six search and rescue teams forged ahead, systematically looking through every building that was destroyed by the fire.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
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Now, the Padres must forge ahead with a significant degree of difficulty.—
Dennis Lin,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And in this case, Homeland Security is knocking on states’ doors.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
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But Keys was able to knock the tennis titan off balance with a stunning opening match, eventually winning the whole tournament in the final set, which was tied till the very end.—
Mansee Khurana,
NPR,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Buffy loves to groom—in other words, lick—my hair, probably as an act of dominance, according to my vet.—
Elizabeth Denton,
Allure,
28 Jan. 2025
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Having another week off to lick wounds is pretty nice, too.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to hammer
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Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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