as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the scuffle escalated into a hammer-and-tongs fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sharply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer-and-tongs
Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
The two conservative groups that brought the case were targeted by Harris in 2012-13, right around the time the IRS was going hammer and tongs after Tea Party groups.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 1 July 2021
Two teams who seem destined to slug it out in the lower reaches of the table this season going hammer and tongs at each other never makes for a good watch.
—SI.com, 18 Sep. 2019
The Reds went hammer and tongs in their efforts to find a second, though their hosts were able to hold off the onslaught until the final 10 minutes of the clash.
—SI.com, 15 Aug. 2019
With two moderate Pyrenean climbs, Thursday’s Stage 12 from Toulouse, where cassoulet and rugby are both big, wasn’t tough enough for Thomas and his rivals to go at each other hammer and tongs.
—Washington Post, 18 July 2019
The way to stand out from the others is to go hammer and tongs for the opponents’ jugulars, or to try to sound more extreme than the others.
—Jim Jones, idahostatesman, 18 May 2018
Adverb
In 1971, authors Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal went at it hammer and tongs live on late-night TV in a showdown that allegedly spilled over into violence.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
The two conservative groups that brought the case were targeted by Harris in 2012-13, right around the time the IRS was going hammer and tongs after Tea Party groups.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 1 July 2021
Two teams who seem destined to slug it out in the lower reaches of the table this season going hammer and tongs at each other never makes for a good watch.
—SI.com, 18 Sep. 2019
The Reds went hammer and tongs in their efforts to find a second, though their hosts were able to hold off the onslaught until the final 10 minutes of the clash.
—SI.com, 15 Aug. 2019
With two moderate Pyrenean climbs, Thursday’s Stage 12 from Toulouse, where cassoulet and rugby are both big, wasn’t tough enough for Thomas and his rivals to go at each other hammer and tongs.
—Washington Post, 18 July 2019
The way to stand out from the others is to go hammer and tongs for the opponents’ jugulars, or to try to sound more extreme than the others.
—Jim Jones, idahostatesman, 18 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer-and-tongs
Adjective
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When people receive treatment for their psychosis, their chance of violent behavior decreases.3 Challenges With Treatment Both psychosis and schizophrenia can be difficult to treat, mainly because people experiencing either one may be resistant to receiving help.—
Brittany Dube,
Health,
16 Jan. 2025
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After all, we too are drawn to violent, meaningless spectacle to distract us from matters of substance.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Defensive standouts Bruce Smith and Derrick Thomas were ferocious competitors.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2025
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The latter, which begins at Second and Market Streets, circles Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Ave., includes floats, ferocious lions, firecrackers and a 288-foot long Golden Dragon.—
Jackie Burrell,
The Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Just one decade later, he's become one of Meta's fiercest competitors BYMarco Quiroz-Gutierrez January 15, 2025 7 hours ago Personal Finance A woman purchased a vacant Hawaiian lot for about $22,000.—
Chloe Berger,
Fortune,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Rubio was a fierce Trump critic during the contest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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In the years since, the cathedral has been fiercely debated among Ghanaian politicians, who have raised questions about its funding.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
21 Jan. 2025
-
The United head coach unleashed his emotions after witnessing the seventh defeat of his 15 games in charge, fiercely voicing his displeasure at his team and showing his frustrations physically.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Senate Democrats are furious that President-elect Trump has reached out to conservative Justice Samuel Alito amid a push by Trump for the high court to halt his criminal sentencing.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
10 Jan. 2025
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After winning the division to host the championship game, Boston owner and franchise founder George Preston Marshall was furious with the local fans and decided to move the championship game away from his home field to a neutral location: The Polo Grounds in New York.—
Mark Puleo,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This data supports the growing trend in investing in collectables and historical artefacts, which are more likely to hold and increase their value in turbulent financial markets than other traditional forms of investment.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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The industry’s ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial in maintaining its growth trajectory during a particularly turbulent time.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Piñeiro should have a decent market, despite having a rough second half of the season.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2025
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Reed, who was challenged by Hurley after his stretch of rough outings, ripped an offensive rebound from the arms of Butler’s Pierre Brooks five minutes in and finished a layup.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The uncrewed craft will then land near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium – a 300-mile-wide basin in the northeast quadrant of the moon's near side.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
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For wellness seekers, Champagne Beach invites you to relax in its natural jacuzzi, where volcanic seafloor vents create soothing bubbles.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hammer-and-tongs
Cite this Entry
“Hammer-and-tongs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer-and-tongs. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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