hammer-and-tongs 1 of 2

hammer and tongs

2 of 2

adverb

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
Adjective
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 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 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
  • The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • An inside look at the birth and power of ferocious storms Lowry credits the current warming in the Atlantic to a weakening of the Bermuda High, a pattern of high pressure that expands and shrinks over the western Atlantic and heavily influences hurricane movement.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • That rear wing incorporates a Formula 1-style drag-reduction system, S-duct air channel, aggressive front splitter, and rear diffuser to help generate an impressive 860 kilograms of downforce at 177 mph for ferocious performance.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure.
    Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025
Adverb
  • Scottish actress Freya Mavor is slated to play Jane Bennet, Lizzy's striking, fiercely desired older sister.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Despite more than five decades under Israeli control, the Druze in the Golan remain fiercely connected to their Syrian identities.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • This ends up looking like a furious around-the-horn toss, with all three outfielders sprinting in to complete the drill.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 26 July 2025
  • The House abruptly began its summer recess Wednesday evening, a day earlier than scheduled, as GOP leaders balked at efforts from Republicans and Democrats to press the Justice Department to make public government documents regarding Epstein. Democrats were furious.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Flying across the country alone with my infant was far less turbulent with the right preparation.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 Aug. 2025
  • For Michelle, 28, knowing her long-term relationship was over—one that had started with a DM, spanned four years, and was turbulent in the way that made letting go feel impossible—came down to seeing him with someone else…in a video watched by over a million people.
    Morgan Sullivan, Vogue, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Opening originally in the 1990s as Mean Streak, the old rough wooden coaster was given new life in 2018 with its transformation into arguably the greatest roller coaster of all time.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The company had a rough second quarter, with automotive revenue falling 16% compared to a year ago — the second straight quarter of lower sales.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The island chain was (and is still being) formed by a volcanic hot spot that has so far created 15 different volcanoes that stretch 3,800 miles across the Pacific.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 14 July 2025
  • Schrodinger basin, a large impact crater near the moon’s south pole, shows evidence of geologically recent volcanic activity.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hammer and tongs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer%20and%20tongs. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!