heavy-handed
adjective
heavy-hand·ed
ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: showing a lack of skill : clumsy
The effect achieved is so subtle that, in contrast, much twentieth-century paintwork seems crude and heavy-handed.—
Elizabeth Lambert
Elizabeth Lambert2
: oppressive, harsh
a heavy-handed approach to crime
heavy-handedly
adverb
heavy-handedness
noun
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
Everyone is kind and at the ready for any guest, although not in a heavy-handed way.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Much of the programming leans into dialogue and reflection without feeling heavy-handed.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
Consumer confidence tumbled after 2021 because of a real estate crisis and heavy-handed pandemic-era lockdowns.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
That's a little heavy-handed, no?
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Much of the programming leans into dialogue and reflection without feeling heavy-handed.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
Consumer confidence tumbled after 2021 because of a real estate crisis and heavy-handed pandemic-era lockdowns.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
That's a little heavy-handed, no?
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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