sledgehammer
sledgehammer Lexical Profile
sledgehammer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, heavy hammer usually wielded with both hands, used for tasks requiring immense force such as breaking stone or driving heavy posts.
"The demolition crew used a sledgehammer to carefully dismantle the old brick fireplace."
A forceful, disproportionately heavy-handed, or ruthless approach to a situation, often lacking nuance or precision.
"Instead of making targeted reforms, the new executive took a sledgehammer to the department's entire budget."
• verb
To strike or destroy something using a large, heavy hammer.
"The archaeologists carefully avoided sledgehammering the delicate ruins, opting instead for precise hand tools."
To force an outcome, opinion, or message in a crude, overwhelmingly forceful, and un-nuanced manner.
"The director sledgehammered the film's moral message into the audience, leaving absolutely no room for subtle interpretation."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Old English 'slecg', meaning 'a heavy hammer' (related to the verb 'slean', meaning to strike), combined with 'hammer'. The term is essentially tautological, literally translating to 'hammer-hammer'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.