sledgehammer

[slej-ham-er]

noun

1. a large heavy hammer wielded with both hands.

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

/ 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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sledgehammer¹

First recorded in 1485–95; sledge ² + hammer

Word History and Origins

Origin of sledgehammer¹

C15 sledge, from Old English slecg a large hammer; related to Old Norse sleggja, Middle Dutch slegge

Example Sentences

Welsh Conservative and chairman of the Senedd's cross party group on shooting and conservation, James Evans, said the proposals were using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

From BBC

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp backed the government's ban on Palestine Action, saying they had "used a sledgehammer to attack a police officer" and "deliberately sabotaged RAF planes".

From BBC

Prosecutors allege the group committed aggravated burglary with the assistance of sledgehammers, and criminal damage of more than £1m at Elbit's Bristol facilities.

From BBC

Soon after the two bought the property, they started their yard project by removing the L-shaped strip of concrete in the backyard with a sledgehammer.

From Los Angeles Times

"With an efficient sledgehammer in your hand, you can cause quite a bit of damage," the manual read, before than detailing how to do so.

From BBC