sledge

4 synonyms for sledge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

sled maul sleigh sledgehammer

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer.

“He swung the sledge into the old wall until the bricks gave way.”

sled maul sleigh sledgehammer

2. verb

(cricket, informal) To taunt or verbally needle an opposing player to put them off their game.

“The bowler tried to sledge the batsman between deliveries, muttering insults just loud enough to hear.”

sledgehammer

Etymology

From Old English sleċġ, "mallet, hammer" — the same Germanic root gave Dutch and Swedish words for a heavy hammer.

Full origin of sledge →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sledge” mean?

The word “sledge” means a heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer. In plain terms, either a big hammer, a heavy animal-drawn sled, or (in cricket) trash-talking an opponent.

How do you pronounce “sledge”?

“Sledge” is pronounced slehj (/slɛd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “sledge” in a sentence?

Here is “sledge” used in a sentence: “He swung the sledge into the old wall until the bricks gave way.”

What part of speech is “sledge”?

Depending on how it is used, “sledge” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “sledge” come from?

The word “sledge” comes from Old English. From Old English sleċġ, "mallet, hammer" — the same Germanic root gave Dutch and Swedish words for a heavy hammer.

Is “sledge” a common word?

“Sledge” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “sledge” have?

“Sledge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy, long-handled hammer used for driving stakes or breaking things apart; short for sledgehammer.

Related words

sled sleigh toboggan

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sled maul sleigh sledgehammer

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