sledgehammer

[ slej-ham-er ]
/ ˈslɛdʒˌhæm ər /

noun

a large heavy hammer wielded with both hands.

verb (used with or without object)

to hammer, beat, or strike with or as if with a sledgehammer.

adjective

crudely or ruthlessly forceful; lacking all dexterity or grace: the artist's sledgehammer approach.

Origin of sledgehammer

First recorded in 1485–95; sledge2 + hammer

Words nearby sledgehammer

sled cultivator, sled dog, sledder, sledding, sledge, sledgehammer, sleek, sleekit, sleeky, sleep, sleep a wink, not

Example sentences from the Web for sledgehammer

British Dictionary definitions for sledgehammer

sledgehammer
/ (ˈslɛdʒˌhæmə) /

noun

a large heavy hammer with a long handle used with both hands for heavy work such as forging iron, breaking rocks, etc
(modifier) resembling the action of a sledgehammer in power, ruthlessness, etc a sledgehammer blow

verb

(tr) to strike (something) with or as if with a sledgehammer

Word Origin for sledgehammer

C15 sledge, from Old English slecg a large hammer; related to Old Norse sleggja, Middle Dutch slegge