noun
sledgehammer
SLEHJ-ha-muh
Sledgehammer (noun) means a large, heavy hammer with a long handle, swung with both hands to deliver powerful blows. Example: “He took a sledgehammer to the concrete patio to break it up.”
noun
1
A large, heavy hammer with a long handle, swung with both hands to deliver powerful blows.
"He took a sledgehammer to the concrete patio to break it up."
"Demolition crews used sledgehammers to knock down the old brick wall."
adj
1
Blunt and forceful, with no subtlety at all.
"Her sledgehammer approach to the negotiation left no room for compromise."
How to use sledgehammer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big two-handed hammer for heavy, forceful blows — also used figuratively for anything blunt and forceful.
Common mistake
The figurative use ("sledgehammer tactics") always implies excessive, clumsy force where something more delicate was called for.
Common pairings
swing a sledgehammer
sledgehammer approach
sledgehammer blow
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Word forms
- Plural
- sledgehammers
- Third person singular
- sledgehammers
- Past tense
- sledgehammered
- Comparative
- more sledgehammer
- Superlative
- most sledgehammer
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He took a _____ to the concrete patio to break it up.
Etymology
A compound of "sledge" (a heavy hammer) and "hammer" — essentially "hammer-hammer," emphasising its size.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sledgehammer
See all rhymes for 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.
