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.
Opposition leaders and journalists accused police of heavy-handed tactics during weekend demonstrations, as authorities locked down New Delhi on Monday ahead of a fresh rally against the election chief.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
That might be a little heavy-handed when a simple talking-to, or a vote-whipping operation that’s more on top of things, could suffice.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
Other Icelanders said they worry about what they see as heavy-handed EU regulation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
But the league’s proposal for the 2028 Olympics feels heavy-handed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Sometimes, like today, she gets a little heavy-handed with it.
From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake
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