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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Stacey Vanek Smith, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Its Morning Blue dial, hand-hammered in 18-karat white gold, is meant to evoke the sky at first light, though its shimmering surface also suggests the rippling sea.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Police said three men wearing masks and all black clothing entered the open business and allegedly used a hammer to smash out several glass panels.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
In one of the more heated moments, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts hammered this point, saying Trump had publicly proclaimed that interest rates would drop.
—Stacey Vanek Smith, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
Its Morning Blue dial, hand-hammered in 18-karat white gold, is meant to evoke the sky at first light, though its shimmering surface also suggests the rippling sea.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
If a player is especially tough and violent on the field, the Chargers will affix a magnetic hammer sticker next to his name on the draft board.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Police said three men wearing masks and all black clothing entered the open business and allegedly used a hammer to smash out several glass panels.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
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Nixon has recently been spending time helping out during UCF’s spring camp, drawing praise from running backs coach Jimmy Beal.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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Around the world, birds flock to salt lakes, drawn by the flies and brine shrimp that live in them, and by the relative absence of predators.—
Rosa Lyster,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And Silva hit a home run, her third, after attempting a bunt on the previous pitch.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Seattle Seahawks have already hit three of their biggest needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, taking Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price on Thursday night in Round 1 and TCU safety Bud Clark and Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal in the second and third rounds on Friday.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The updraft knifed through the building, whose inhabitants were already suffering without heat or power for much of the winter as Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy system.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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There’s a sense of surrender in the way this tune eroticizes total passivity, giving up control, just letting your feelings pound you to a bloody pulp.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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McMahon likes to remind scolds that wrestling is a morality play.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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It was later revealed that the culprits allegedly used a homemade bomb and a sledgehammer to break into the museum.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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Images of an Israeli soldier with a sledgehammer smashing the statue’s head emerged over the weekend, bringing widespread condemnation.—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officials say the ring targeted vulnerable residents by forging documents, stealing personal information about the real owners and arranging the sales of the properties.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Mets are continuing to forge ahead with the team built by Stearns and managed by Mendoza, despite suboptimal results.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At that house, no one answered a Statesman reporter’s knocks on Monday, but Davidson told the Statesman that his family owns the whole lot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
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Alex Hebda, of Wheatfield, and Chris Mercaldo, of Valparaiso, were knocking the balls around the pool table.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maximilien, a French national, allegedly uploaded a clip of himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine before putting it back in the dispenser.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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There’s Cassie licking a melting ice cream cone as the ice cream drips down her bare chest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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