1
as in harsh
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clumsy
lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands
felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heavy-handed
Democrats invoked the spectre of McCarthyism for other Democrats with heavy-handed satire and puppets.
—
Matthew Carey Salyer, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Even if the Biden framework was seen as heavy-handed or politicized, big questions remain among industry advocates about the potential for runaway superintelligence as AI rapidly advances.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2025
Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
While Medwin’s voiceover thankfully ceases after that first scene, a heavy-handed score serves much the same purpose, prodding us toward big and obvious emotions rather than contrasting or highlighting them.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Matthew Carey Salyer, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Even if the Biden framework was seen as heavy-handed or politicized, big questions remain among industry advocates about the potential for runaway superintelligence as AI rapidly advances.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2025
Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
While Medwin’s voiceover thankfully ceases after that first scene, a heavy-handed score serves much the same purpose, prodding us toward big and obvious emotions rather than contrasting or highlighting them.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-handed
Adjective
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Unlike harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive scrubbers like steel wool, salt effectively tackles grime while remaining safe for both wood and plastic cutting board surfaces.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
-
As the moon moves through Sagittarius, a harsh reality disturbs your inner peace.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Dream plays are difficult to execute—whimsy is easily crushed by clumsy handling.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
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Despite a clumsy apology tour, Hogan was never able to completely shake his darkest moment.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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For example, in sales, if a customer wants a certain number of licenses but has a strict budget, an agent can help figure out the best deal by looking at things like license count, budget limits and different contract lengths (like one-, two- or three-year terms).—
Ian Gotts,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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San Francisco is set to crack down on homeless people living in RVs with its Board of Supervisors preparing to vote on strict new parking limits.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The house was a little awkward and needed some work, including in the living room, which had a mix of original wood flooring and vinyl.—
Thomas Fuller,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
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Once Mercury goes direct on Aug. 11, the awkward conversations or delays with friends or teammates start to smooth out.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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While Western democracies debate environmental reviews and grid reliability, authoritarian systems can rapidly direct energy flows to computing infrastructure.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
North Korea is under sanctions from the United States — as well as the United Nations and several other countries — largely in response to the isolated authoritarian state's weapons programs.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Lamont, who had proposed boosting special education aid by $40 million — but not until July 2026 — countered that the state budget already was on pace to exceed the budget cap and that legislators needed to make tough choices and trim spending.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 Aug. 2025
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Linde on Friday reported better-than-expected quarterly results Thursday, showcasing what the industrial gas giant does best when times get tough.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Ozzy Osbourne shared 3 children with first wife Thelma Riley The father of six children over two marriages, Osbourne has been vocal about how rigorous touring and alcohol use affected his family life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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The 22-year-old flew to the United States and went through the DCC’s rigorous tryouts, eventually becoming one of six new rookies to join the 36-member squad, out of thousands who auditioned.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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But she and the remaining Storm family members are swept up into an inheritance game – her father’s last wish, organized by her father’s stern, handsome right-hand man.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
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Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images With the matchup looming large as the 2025 season continues to draw closer, one of Rodgers' former teammates on the Jets has spoken out with a stern warning to him.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-handed. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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