HAMMER AND TONGS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

hammer-and-tongs 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hammer-and-tongs

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity the scuffle escalated into a hammer-and-tongs fight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hammer and tongs

2 of 2

adverb

as in sharply

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hammer-and-tongs

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 action on Nevarro is crisp and well-presented, highlighted by the Armorer taking out the sniper’s nest singlehandedly with only her hammer and tongs as weapons. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2023 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 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

Michael was arrested two days later, per Denver TV station KUSA, and charged with first-degree murder, use of a weapon in a violent crime, theft of $100 to $500, and abuse of a corpse.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Crime reached a breaking point that summer after a drive-by shooting killed a man at Progress Park, topping off a string of violent incidents in the neighborhood just northeast of uptown Charlotte.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

Emergency crews are still scrambling to contain ferocious blazes in Spain and France, where authorities have warned wildfires could burn for several months before they are fully extinguished.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
One is among the most ferocious forces in the sport, a bona fide ace who is must-see TV.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adverb

Even more students held their own protests across the country after police violently cracked down on thousands of protesters who tried to march into parliament on Monday.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 25 July 2026
Firefighters in Spain said the blazes spread so fast and violently that they could not be tackled head on.

— Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of violently

Adjective

This video shows firefighters battling fierce flames ripping through vegetation, propelled, in part, by strong gusts of wind.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Liverpool were trailing 2-1 early in the second half when the midfielder chested the ball down just outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike past Melker Ellborg.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

Prince William is reportedly very upset by these reports, with the National Examiner reporting that William is furious about Harry and Meghan’s reported desire to collaborate with Netflix on a documentary.

— StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026
Her father, furious over her job and gender identity, kicked her out.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

hammer

hammer-and-tongs

hammer and tongs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hammer-and-tongs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer-and-tongs. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hammer-and-tongs

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes