sledgehammer
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sledge·ham·mer
(slĕj′hăm′ər)n.
A long heavy hammer, often wielded with both hands, used for driving wedges and posts and for other heavy work.
tr.v. sledge·ham·mered, sledge·ham·mer·ing, sledge·ham·mers
To strike with or as if with a sledgehammer.
adj.
Ruthlessly severe; crushing: sledgehammer prosecutorial tactics.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sledgehammer
(ˈslɛdʒˌhæmə)n
1. (Tools) a large heavy hammer with a long handle used with both hands for heavy work such as forging iron, breaking rocks, etc
2. (modifier) resembling the action of a sledgehammer in power, ruthlessness, etc: a sledgehammer blow.
vb
(tr) to strike (something) with or as if with a sledgehammer
[C15 sledge, from Old English slecg a large hammer; related to Old Norse sleggja, Middle Dutch slegge]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
sledge•ham•mer
(ˈslɛdʒˌhæm ər)n.
1. a large heavy hammer wielded with both hands.
v.t., v.i. 2. to hammer, beat, or strike with or as if with a sledgehammer.
adj. 3. overly forceful.
[1485–95]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
sledgehammer
Past participle: sledgehammered
Gerund: sledgehammering
| Imperative |
|---|
| sledgehammer |
| sledgehammer |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  sledgehammer - a heavy long-handled hammer used to drive stakes or wedgeshammer - a hand tool with a heavy rigid head and a handle; used to deliver an impulsive force by striking |
| Verb | 1. | sledgehammer - beat with a sledgehammer hammer - beat with or as if with a hammer; "hammer the metal flat" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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