sledge·ham·mer
ˈslej-ˌha-mər 
: a large heavy hammer that is wielded with both hands
also
: something that resembles a sledgehammer in action
sledgehammered; sledgehammering; sledgehammers
: to strike with or as if with a sledgehammer
: to strike blows with or as if with a sledgehammer
: marked by heavy-handed directness or hard-hitting force
trusting in sledgehammer warfare—
C. J. Rolo
C. J. RoloExamples of sledgehammer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAnthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024
One newspaper photographer in Hebron in 1985 captured Shaul smashing the wall of an Arab marketplace with a sledgehammer.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sledgehammer 
Noun
Firefighters used a sledgehammer to rescue a puppy trapped inside a wall in Southern California.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024
One newspaper photographer in Hebron in 1985 captured Shaul smashing the wall of an Arab marketplace with a sledgehammer.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sledgehammer
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sledgehammer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sledgehammer
Cite this Entry
“Sledgehammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sledgehammer. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sledgehammer
1 of 2 noun
sledge·ham·mer
ˈslej-ˌham-ər
: a large heavy hammer usually used with both hands
sledgehammer
verb
sledgehammer
2 of 2 adjective
: marked by directness or strong force
a sledgehammer approach to the problem
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