heavy-handed
adjective
heavy-hand·ed
ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd 
1
: clumsy
2
: oppressive, harsh
heavy-handedly
adverb
heavy-handedness
noun
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
The heavy-handed response to the false alarm has sparked outrage in the community, with Allen’s grandfather Lamont Davis demanding accountability.
—
Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Critics across the European Union have called out Serbian security forces for a heavy-handed response against the protesters.
—Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The 33-year-old was heavy-handed with her blush, giving herself the rosy flush of someone who’s just spent an hour in front of an open fire, a glass of red wine in hand.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
These have been replaced by an endless monotone of heavy-handed highs.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
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Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Critics across the European Union have called out Serbian security forces for a heavy-handed response against the protesters.
—Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The 33-year-old was heavy-handed with her blush, giving herself the rosy flush of someone who’s just spent an hour in front of an open fire, a glass of red wine in hand.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
These have been replaced by an endless monotone of heavy-handed highs.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy-handed
Cite this Entry
“Heavy-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy-handed. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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