sledgehammer

[slej-ham-er]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a large heavy hammer wielded with both hands.

verb (used with or without object)

to hammer, beat, or strike with or as if with a sledgehammer.

adjective

crudely or ruthlessly forceful; lacking all dexterity or grace.
the artist's sledgehammer approach.

sledgehammer

/ ˈ��ɛ��ˌ��æ��ə /

noun

a large heavy hammer with a long handle used with both hands for heavy work such as forging iron, breaking rocks, etc
(modifier) resembling the action of a sledgehammer in power, ruthlessness, etc
a sledgehammer blow

verb

(tr) to strike (something) with or as if with a sledgehammer

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sledgehammer¹

First recorded in 1485–95; sledge ² + hammer

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sledgehammer¹

C15 sledge, from Old English slecg a large hammer; related to Old Norse sleggja, Middle Dutch slegge

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Speaking directly to Sheen, he said: "You were almost certainly the figure who carried the sledgehammer on which your DNA was found and which was used to sever the functioning toilet from its connecting pipes."

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Trying to work out exactly what happened here starts with the hefty strike of a sledgehammer.

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Another parent Stuart said he replied to the school "it was using a sledgehammer to crack a nut" when he was asked for feedback.

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Now, wielding a sledgehammer, this president is destroying that promise for this and future generations.”

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Of course, Maher should be invited back to celebrate that mark and he can once again waste our time telling us how cordial Trump is as he takes a sledgehammer to the pillars of democracy.

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sledge sleek

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