heavy-handed

[hev-ee-han-did]

adjective

1. oppressive; harsh.

   a heavy-handed master.

2. clumsy; graceless.

   a heavy-handed treatment of the theme.

heavy-handed

adjective

1. clumsy

2. harsh and oppressive

Other Word Forms

• heavy-handedly adverb
• heavy-handedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heavy-handed¹

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

This observational approach is regularly undercut, unfortunately, by a heavy-handed soundtrack that makes the film feel less trustworthy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Being too heavy-handed can "backfire and your child will probably hang out with that friend more just to spite you."

Read more on BBC

Despite the S&P 500’s 1.6% decline this past week, investors have, for the most part, ignored the risks of a more heavy-handed government.

Read more on Barron's

Despite the S&P 500’s 2.4% decline this past week, investors have, for the most part, ignored the risks of a more heavy-handed government.

Read more on Barron's

When he arrives, things take a turn from the heavy-handed to the silly, which is an improvement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coercive 
• cruel 
• harsh 
• oppressive