heavy-handed

[ hev-ee-han-did ]

/ ˈhɛv iˈhæn dɪd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR heavy-handed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

oppressive; harsh: a heavy-handed master.

clumsy; graceless: a heavy-handed treatment of the theme.

Nearby words

Origin of heavy-handed

First recorded in 1625–35

Related formsheav·y-hand·ed·ly, adverbheav·y-hand·ed·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for heavy-handed

So was the importance of protest itself, which he vowed to protect from the heavy-handed policies employed by his predecessors.
Eric Garner Protesters Have a Direct Line to City Hall|Jacob Siegel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heavy-handed police work like that carried out by Burge and, apparently, Evans, gets results.
I Was Beaten By Chicago’s Dirtiest Cop, Lawsuit Contends|Justin Glawe|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She said Mars Hill “engages in heavy-handed discipline through a hierarchical structure.”
Another Mega Church Implodes|Warren Throckmorton|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The shooting of Michael Brown and the heavy-handed response by the police that followed has struck a nerve among Muslims.
Michael Brown, Gaza, and Muslim Americans|Dean Obeidallah|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The whole scene is so awash with heavy-handed religious imagery you can probably just skip church on Sunday.
‘Resurrection’ Is TV’s Silliest Show and Probably Dead on Arrival|Kevin Fallon|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"If Happy's ghost don't git to playin' music too much," he added with his heavy-handed wit.
The Flying U's Last Stand|B. M. Bower
Sometimes he indulges in pure clowning, which is humorous in a heavy-handed way.
The Vagabond in Literature|Arthur Rickett
Argyll's heavy-handed management of that election is the subject of Defoe's Atalantis Major.
Atalantis Major|Daniel Defoe
John, being the heavy-faced and heavy-handed man, shut the door.
Buried Alive: A Tale of These Days|Arnold Bennett
And doubtless it was the cardinal's heavy-handed dealing with Fra Tomasso that had provoked this particular sermon.
The Saracen: Land of the Infidel|Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for heavy-handed

heavy-handed

adjective

clumsy

harsh and oppressive

Derived Formsheavy-handedly, adverbheavy-handedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heavy-handed

heavy-handed

adj.

also heavyhanded, 1630s, originally "weary" or "clumsy;" from heavy (adj.) + handed. Sense of "overbearing" is first recorded 1883.

heavy-handed

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of heavy-handed

Examples from the Web for heavy-handed

heavy-handed

adjective

heavy-handed