heavy-handed
Americanadjective
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oppressive; harsh.
a heavy-handed master.
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clumsy; graceless.
a heavy-handed treatment of the theme.
adjective
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clumsy
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harsh and oppressive
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heavy-handed
First recorded in 1625–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's incredibly heavy handed, and it's not the least restrictive means," he said.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2025
“But the public is very heavy handed on the Crimson Tide.”
From Washington Times • Jan. 1, 2024
For some musicians, being called heavy handed would be considered an insult.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022
"Seeing how they were so heavy handed we thought, shall we toddle off to Truro Crown Court and take them to court."
From BBC • May 13, 2022
It is therefore self evident that a heavy handed horseman can never break a horse to any degree of nicety, or ride one which is already broke to any degree of exactness.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
