sledgehammer
ˈslɛdʒˌhæmər
sledgehammer: heavy hammer with a long handle used for breaking things
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Definition of sledgehammer - Reverso English Dictionary

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Noun

1.
toolheavy hammer with a long handle used for breaking things
  • He swung the sledgehammer to demolish the old wall.
club mallet maul
2.
metaphorpowerful, crushing action used to overwhelm opponents
  • His criticism was a sledgehammer to her confidence.
brutal forceful ruthless

Verb

tr.
1.
metaphorical forceuse excessive force or measures
  • She sledgehammered her point during the debate.
crush overpower overwhelm
2.
physical actionRarestrike with a heavy hammerRare
  • He sledgehammered the wall to break it down.
bash pound smash
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Images of sledgehammer

  • sledgehammer: heavy hammer with a long handle used for breaking things
    heavy hammer with a long handle used for breaking things

Expressions with sledgehammer

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extremely obvious or forceful
His criticism was subtle as a sledgehammer, leaving no room for doubt.
very strong argument lacking subtlety or finesse
His sledgehammer argument left no room for doubt.

Origin of sledgehammer

Middle English, sled (vehicle) + hammer (tool)

Terms with sledgehammer included in their meaning

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tool
hit with a sledgehammer
tools
involving the use of a sledgehammer

Examples of sledgehammer in a sentence

  • A sledgehammer is needed for this tough job.
  • The policy change was a sledgehammer to the industry.
  • Her words were a sledgehammer, leaving him speechless.
  • The company sledgehammered its way into the market.
  • He sledgehammered the issue with unnecessary regulations.
  • The workers sledgehammered the old shed to pieces.

View all translations of sledgehammer

✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:masse, exagérer, ...
  2. German:Vorschlaghammer, mit dem Vorschlaghammer vorgehen, ...
  3. Italian:mazza, martellare, ...
  4. Spanish:mazo, insistir con fuerza, ...
  5. Portuguese:malho, exagerar, ...
  6. Chinese:大锤, 用铁锤式手段处理, ...
  7. Japanese:スレッジハンマー, 強調しすぎる, ...
  8. Arabic:مِطْرَقَة ثَقِيلَة, سَحَقَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:פַּטִּישׁ כָּבֵד, לְהַעֲבִיר אֶת הַנְּקוּדָה בְּכֹחַ, ...
  10. Russian:кувалда, перегибать палку, ...
  11. Ukrainian:кувалда, перебільшувати, ...
  12. Hindi:बड़ा हथौड़ा, जोरदार तरीके से रखना, ...

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