heavy-handed

adjective

heavy-hand·​ed ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 

1

: clumsy

2

: oppressive, harsh

heavy-handedly adverb

heavy-handedness noun

Synonyms

• austere
• authoritarian
• flinty
• hard
• harsh
• ramrod
• rigid
• rigorous
• severe
• stern
• strict
• tough

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

Those moments of naturalism work better than many of the shots taking place outside of the car, which often use glaringly heavy-handed lighting to insinuate who we’re supposed to see as good and evil. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025

But four years of rapid inflation, high interest rates, and heavy-handed federal regulatory actions has changed that profit picture. —David Blackmon, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

But, when the Evil Queen takes over, her dark manner and heavy-handed leadership oppress the people. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025

Dark Winds took an explicit turn with its social and political commentary in its second season; as a result, the dialogue occasionally veered into goofy literalness, and many of its heavy-handed lines were given to Emma. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heavy-handed

• countermanded
• evenhanded
• reprimanded
• underhanded
• backhanded
• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded
• remanded
• unbranded

Kids Definition

heavy-handed

adjective

heavy-hand·​ed

ˌhev-ē-ˈhan-dəd

1

: clumsy sense 1

2

: severe or harsh in dealing with others