heavy-handed
adjective
heavy-hand·ed
ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: clumsy
2
: oppressive, harsh
heavy-handedly
adverb
heavy-handedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of heavy-handed in a Sentence
the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation
felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant
Recent Examples on the Web
Two weeks ago, Republican leaders, who have long bristled at DeSantis’ heavy-handed approach, defied his request for a special session to address immigration.
—
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Some found his commentary on the Black American experience as poignant, while others saw it as heavy-handed.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Dramatic At Sundance Film Festival: Full Winners List Even with some heavy-handed exposition to catch us up on their brief relationship, there’s not enough character development to tell us how these people have changed as individuals, let alone as a potential couple.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025
While judges have not identified any other instances of prosecutorial misconduct related to Jan. 6, conservative critics have said the department was too heavy-handed with misdemeanor cases related to the riot.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Feb. 2025
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Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Some found his commentary on the Black American experience as poignant, while others saw it as heavy-handed.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Dramatic At Sundance Film Festival: Full Winners List Even with some heavy-handed exposition to catch us up on their brief relationship, there’s not enough character development to tell us how these people have changed as individuals, let alone as a potential couple.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025
While judges have not identified any other instances of prosecutorial misconduct related to Jan. 6, conservative critics have said the department was too heavy-handed with misdemeanor cases related to the riot.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Dictionary Entries Near heavy-handed
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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