sledgehammer

American  

[slej-ham-er] / ˈslɛdʒˌhæm ər /

noun

1. a large heavy hammer wielded with both hands.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to hammer, beat, or strike with or as if with a sledgehammer.

adjective

1. crudely or ruthlessly forceful; lacking all dexterity or grace.

   the artist's sledgehammer approach.

sledgehammer British  

/ ˈslɛdʒˌhæmə /

noun

1. a large heavy hammer with a long handle used with both hands for heavy work such as forging iron, breaking rocks, etc

2. (modifier) resembling the action of a sledgehammer in power, ruthlessness, etc

   a sledgehammer blow

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verb

1. (tr) to strike (something) with or as if with a sledgehammer

Etymology

Origin of sledgehammer

First recorded in 1485–95; sledge ² + hammer

Example Sentences

Rich Maw, an independent member of North Yorkshire Council and Scarborough Town Council, said he believed it had been "done too hastily", calling it "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

From BBC

The show featured the actors who played the Brady kids taking sledgehammers to the interiors while “Property Brothers” stars Drew and Jonathan Scott reshaped the living spaces.

From Los Angeles Times

Characters state the obvious and the dialogue has the delicacy of a sledgehammer.

From Los Angeles Times

Rakes, brooms, sledgehammers, and saws to clean up their streets and yards.

From Literature

“Distributors looked at it and saw a substance and a really big idea, revolving around that wonderful sledgehammer of a line.”

From The Wall Street Journal