sledgehammer
2 synonyms for sledgehammer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large, heavy hammer with a long handle, swung with both hands to deliver powerful blows.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sledgehammer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
swing a sledgehammer
sledgehammer approach
sledgehammer blow
Etymology
A compound of "sledge" (a heavy hammer) and "hammer" — essentially "hammer-hammer," emphasising its size.
Full origin of sledgehammer →Frequently asked questions
What does “sledgehammer” mean?
The word “sledgehammer” means a large, heavy hammer with a long handle, swung with both hands to deliver powerful blows. In plain terms, a big two-handed hammer for heavy, forceful blows — also used figuratively for anything blunt and forceful.
How do you pronounce “sledgehammer”?
“Sledgehammer” is pronounced SLEHJ-ha-muh (/ˈslɛd͡ʒhæmɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sledgehammer” in a sentence?
Here is “sledgehammer” used in a sentence: “He took a sledgehammer to the concrete patio to break it up.”
What part of speech is “sledgehammer”?
Depending on how it is used, “sledgehammer” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “sledgehammer” have?
“Sledgehammer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, heavy hammer with a long handle, swung with both hands to deliver powerful blows.
