1
as in draws
to shape with a hammer
medieval artisans hammered brass into various bowls and trays, which they then embossed with elaborate designs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hits
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 licks
to strike repeatedly
tried hammering the door to wake them up the crops were hammered with hail
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in scolds
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
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Recent Examples of hammers
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
That last part proves most elusive, as the film hammers home repeatedly, though not very subtly.
—NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The series really hammers home Scorsese’s exploration of good and evil in his work.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
From Pong to Fortnite, Minor’s investigation is a broad stroke that really hammers home just how vast and varied the gaming industry is.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Fishing for trophy muskies is all about the eat — that moment of ambush when a big fish finally commits and hammers your lure.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Over and over again, Cameron hammers his favorite themes.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
That last part proves most elusive, as the film hammers home repeatedly, though not very subtly.
—NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The series really hammers home Scorsese’s exploration of good and evil in his work.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
From Pong to Fortnite, Minor’s investigation is a broad stroke that really hammers home just how vast and varied the gaming industry is.
—Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Fishing for trophy muskies is all about the eat — that moment of ambush when a big fish finally commits and hammers your lure.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammers
Verb
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The approach draws from Western character IP models and Japanese anime’s cross-platform playbook, targeting younger audiences while the studio prepares to announce a new feature film partnership by mid-2026.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In a statement that offers a window into what audiences might expect from the stage production, Smith elaborated on what draws her to Jackson’s world.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Quince's version is made with 24 percent spandex for extra stretch and features a high-cut leg that hits just right to cinch your waist.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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Witherspoon was one of the Seahawks’ stars of the game with a sack and two QB hits, one of which led to an interception from Patriots QB Drake Maye.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While some online scolds didn’t like Johnson’s profanity, this has played well in Chicago, a city that has been ravenous for a winning Bears team since the 20th Super Bowl.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Or on Bluesky with the joke scolds, or on Mastodon with the Linux hackers, or on Threads with the voice-forward brands?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Police said four to seven suspects, wearing black ski masks, black hooded sweatshirts, and black pants, gained entry into businesses by breaking a glass front door or window with sledgehammers or pry bars.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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And one night, a bunch of the editors of The Dartmouth Review descended on the shantytown protests and, with sledgehammers, slammed them down.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Ineos Grenadier is a likable competitor to trucks like the G-Wagen but also a strange one that forges its own path, with many a special edition accentuating its premise.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
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Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In the present, Simon (now played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) pounds his car’s steering wheel, driving away from wreckage.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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The claw then releases the broken bikes and pounds them down once more for good measure.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hammers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammers. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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