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

But, with dry weather forecast, South Africa can wield the scalpel as well as the sledgehammer.

From BBC

They arrived in construction vests and surgical masks, armed with signal jammers, sledgehammers and blowtorches.

From Los Angeles Times

The bulk of the bill was scrapped after several advocacy groups argued that it took a sledgehammer to victims’ rights and that there was little proof of an onslaught of sex abuse settlements.

From Los Angeles Times

They are often are slinging sledgehammers and crowbars “in a sauna-like environment,” said Fabian Plascencia, of the Northern District Council of Laborers Local 67.

From Los Angeles Times

She said it sounded like someone was using a sledgehammer on her door and she feared "somebody was coming to kill us".

From BBC