heavy-handed

adjective

heavy-hand·​ed ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce heavy-handed (audio)
Synonyms of heavy-handednext
1
: showing a lack of skill : clumsy
The effect achieved is so subtle that, in contrast, much twentieth-century paintwork seems crude and heavy-handed.—Elizabeth Lambert
2
: oppressive, harsh
a heavy-handed approach to crime
heavy-handedly adverb
heavy-handedness noun

Synonyms of heavy-handed

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Examples of heavy-handed in a Sentence

the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The result is aromatic and flavorful without being heavy-handed. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 The power Whitney expressed was more abstract than Beyoncé’s heavy-handed, and still astonishing, Super Bowl halftime performance in 2016, in which the artist stormed the field with a battalion of women dressed as Black Panthers. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Paris — After a heavy-handed response to the student protests sweeping France, the government has changed tack. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 The balancing act — between heavy-handed restrictions and free rein — was a theme Altman returned to repeatedly in the interview. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavy-handed was in 1647

Rhymes for heavy-handed

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Browse Nearby Words

heavy hand
heavy-handed
heavy-headed
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Cite this Entry

“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heavy-handed

adjective
heavy-hand·​ed
ˌhev-ē-ˈhan-dəd
1
: clumsy sense 1
2
: severe or harsh in dealing with others
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