sledgehammer

[slej-ham-er]

noun

1. a large heavy hammer wielded with both hands.

verb (used with or without object)

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

adjective

1. crudely or ruthlessly forceful; lacking all dexterity or grace.

   the artist's sledgehammer approach.

sledgehammer

/ ˈslɛdʒˌhæmə /

noun

1. 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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sledgehammer¹

First recorded in 1485–95; sledge ² + hammer

Word History and Origins

Origin of sledgehammer¹

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

Example Sentences

“But this isn’t reform, it’s a sledgehammer…this ensures that only companies with the deepest pockets can play.”

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Welsh Conservative and chairman of the Senedd's cross party group on shooting and conservation, James Evans, said the proposals were using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

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Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp backed the government's ban on Palestine Action, saying they had "used a sledgehammer to attack a police officer" and "deliberately sabotaged RAF planes".

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Prosecutors allege the group committed aggravated burglary with the assistance of sledgehammers, and criminal damage of more than £1m at Elbit's Bristol facilities.

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Soon after the two bought the property, they started their yard project by removing the L-shaped strip of concrete in the backyard with a sledgehammer.

Read more on Los Angeles Times