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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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
One person is dead and at least one other is missing after large waves hammered the California coastline Monday amid a high surf warning.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
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
Earlier, a major storm hammered central California and caused the death of at least one person in Sunset State Beach, who on Monday became trapped beneath debris that authorities believe piled on top of him because of a large wave, the Associated Press reported.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024
One person is dead and at least one other is missing after large waves hammered the California coastline Monday amid a high surf warning.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
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 appearance already draws a stark contrast to Trump’s 2017 inauguration, which was headlined by vocal Republicans like Toby Keith after A-list performers such as Elton John and Garth Brooks turned down the gig.Justin Curto, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
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Romano-Lax uses history and culture to draw a direct line to our tech imaginings.Erika Swyler, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Powerball jackpot has not been hit since Dec. 7, when a New York player won the $256 million grand prize, lottery officials said.Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
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The tartness of cranberry, kissed with vanilla rum, is as enchanting as Elphaba's voice hitting that high note.Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Heavy snow pounded the district, with totals of 5-9 inches and isolated areas receiving up to 12 inches.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Allar has pounded the table time and time again for his receivers.Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But after one more chuckle, Julia jumps in and scolds her too.Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
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Copied Share Laughter as Putin appears to scold the moderator Keir Simmons Reporting from Moscow Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who is moderating the conference scolded people for asking more than one question, only to be mildly mocked by Putin.NBC News, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
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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Firefighters donned ice rescue suits and broke a path into the ice with axes and sledgehammers, officials said.Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 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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In the middle of one firefight, Lozano also got knocked senseless by the blast wave from a tank gun.Jon Hamilton, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
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As of that date, an additional 30,000 MW of potential new loads had also come knocking at AEP’s door (a figure likely to be even larger today).Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If pets do go outside, Aitken recommended wiping their paws with a wet towel or baby wipes to ensure any soot is removed, to stop them from licking it off.John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
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Wipe paws off after walking outdoors with a wet washcloth or baby wipes to prevent pets from licking soot off of their feet after coming inside.Geoffrey Eisler, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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