as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
He turned down another beer to avoid getting hammered.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in drew
to shape with a hammer
medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in smacked
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 pounded
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in scolded
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
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 hammered
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
The exterior has a stunning gold finish with a hammered metal texture, while the interior is a lighter silver color.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Salmon runs have gotten hammered, and even our hatchery runs in the Sacramento Valley are negatively affected by flow conditions in the Sacramento River.
—Chaewon Chung
updated January 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammered
Adjective
This set includes two, 32-ounce glass Mason jars in a stunning rose color, complete with a subtle hammered texture.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
The exterior has a stunning gold finish with a hammered metal texture, while the interior is a lighter silver color.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
In recent weeks, Russian missile strikes have hammered the power grid and neighborhood heating systems, leaving both on the verge of collapse.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Salmon runs have gotten hammered, and even our hatchery runs in the Sacramento Valley are negatively affected by flow conditions in the Sacramento River.
—Chaewon Chung
updated January 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hammered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammered
Adjective
-
Even Sheriff Taylor had the occasion to welcome someone worse than Otis the town drunk into the Mayberry jail.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Cops quickly determined the 42-year-old suspect was drunk behind the wheel and charged him with driving while intoxicated.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The abrupt decision raised questions across federal agencies and drew attention from lawmakers and international observers.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Just a mile and a half down a country lane is Oldstead and the Black Swan, but ask about the circular walking route that Tommy’s dad drew.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
After accepting a cross-ice pass from Ryan McDonagh, Kucherov smacked a one-timer from outside the right faceoff dot over Swayman’s glove, tying the score at 5-5.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Court documents say when the officers tried to leave, Catlett pounded on the hood and kicked the side door of their car.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Searchers looked in backyards, knocked on doors and pounded the pavement.—
Susan Young,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Valentine's Day pagan connections Lupercalia was a debaucherous festival that celebrated the coming of spring that included animal sacrifices and drunken revelry to honor Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Some may feel that what Bree is doing — cheating on Evan, and lying to Pippa — is worse than the one-time drunken hookup between Lucy and Evan.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These experiences forged his belief in distributed leadership.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Late last year, the Lake Station Board of Works and New Chicago forged a pact calling for Lake Station to provide ambulance service for $50,000 annually, according to Long, who said the contract would be reviewed at the end of the year.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both said Toth had slapped the mother-in-law Tuesday evening, according to the report.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Khan said Desmond eventually became angry with her and slapped her across the face before putting her in a chokehold, according to court documents.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammered. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
