heavy-handed

American  

[hev-ee-han-did] / ˈhɛv iˈhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. oppressive; harsh.

   a heavy-handed master.

2. clumsy; graceless.

   a heavy-handed treatment of the theme.

---

heavy-handed British  

adjective

1. clumsy

2. harsh and oppressive

---

Other Word Forms

• heavy-handedly adverb
• heavy-handedness noun

Etymology

Origin of heavy-handed

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

In a fifth round that lit up Brooklyn's Barclays Center, Smith stood toe-to-toe with the heavy-handed Puerto Rican and dropped him with a looping overhand right.

From BBC

Experts warned that the security forces heavy-handed response could exacerbate the challenges facing the government.

From BBC

Mr. Park’s movie maintains a goofy, anything-can-happen quality reminiscent of “Fargo,” however, and isn’t particularly heavy-handed in its disdain for corporations.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Related Words

• coercive
• cruel
• harsh
• oppressive