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
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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
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
as in sledgehammer
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Besides the gun and a total of 27 rounds of ammunition, Roske had pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdrivers, duct tape, lock-pick tools and other items.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
That left Republicans to hammer away at flaws in FBI conduct and Democrats to argue that the agency was obligated to investigate.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Verb
The historic event is held on the first Saturday in September every year at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, and participants engage in traditional Highland Games events like hammer throwing and tug-of-war.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Besides the gun and a total of 27 rounds of ammunition, Roske had pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdrivers, duct tape, lock-pick tools and other items.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Knights hammered the Buffaloes as QB Ki Ellison had a handful of TDs by air and by ground.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
That left Republicans to hammer away at flaws in FBI conduct and Democrats to argue that the agency was obligated to investigate.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer
Verb
-
The Free Press, which Paramount bought for about $150 million, paints itself as a voice of the center but draws its energy from the bitter US culture wars.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will draw the national love this week, but Mahomes has quietly returned to his MVP form.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Snell faced the minimum while allowing one hit and striking out a postseason career-high 10 batters.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
John Candy famously took a racquetball to the skull in a key comedic scene from the 1984 film Splash — and fellow actor Tom Hanks recalls that his late costar's head might've been pounding already after Candy spent the night before drinking with Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
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The ball would pound the hardwood like a hammer pounds a nail.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rachel Dratch scolded Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz for laughing while rehearsing the original Debbie Downer sketch on Saturday Night Live.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
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There, she is repeatedly scolded, first by a testy parking attendant (Mark Stolzenberg), and then by a doctor (Bronstein), who warns Linda of consequences if her daughter doesn’t soon reach her target weight of fifty pounds.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Eighteen years old and 13 pounds too light to join the Marines, the wiry, wide-eyed teen watched his recruiter zip through the aisles, grabbing a roll of tape, a sledgehammer, and a length of lead pipe.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Also for a small fee, guests can use a wooden sledgehammer to smash a pumpkin and feed the pieces to three cows and a couple of pigs, all eager for the treats.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tasked with adapting Equinox’s fitness as a lifestyle approach into Equinox Hotels, the executive forged a new category of luxury rooted in restorative and regenerative hospitality.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
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The findings will help planetary scientists piece together the primordial ingredients that forged the early Earth.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The sow hit the barrel with her chin, the force of her momentum knocking Duane on his back.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
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In Modena, a cooper knocks on oak to hear if the barrel will sing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Elizabeth and Dominic's 95 guests burst into laughter as the dog jumped into the fountain and began walking around, licking up water.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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The carcass was gone, the grass and weeds were licked clean of blood, and the knife was buried under debris.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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