Hammer: meaning, definitions and examples

Repeated, heavy impacts, metaphorically used in both physical actions and abstract concepts.

• The batter hammered the baseball.
• She hammered out the details of the contract.

A tool with a large, typically wooden or rubber head, used for gentle taps in woodworking or striking chisels. It's also used in sports like croquet.

• He used a mallet to tap the wooden joints together.
• The carpenter gently hit the chisel with a mallet.

A large, heavy hammer used for demolition or heavy-duty tasks requiring significant force. It can also be used metaphorically to describe an over-the-top approach.

• They used a sledgehammer to break through the concrete wall.
• It felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut dealing with such a small problem.

A heavy hammer or mallet used for more forceful impacts, like splitting logs. It can also imply a rough, violent handling, usually in a negative sense.

• He swung the maul to split the log in half.
• After the debate, she felt emotionally mauled by her opponent's harsh criticism.

A tool commonly used for driving nails into wood or other materials, often in construction or carpentry.

• He used a hammer to drive the nail into the wall
• The carpenter hit the nail with his hammer

A small ceremonial mallet used by judges or officials to bring a meeting to order. Often found in legal contexts or formal meetings.

• The judge banged the gavel to signal the start of the hearing
• The chairman used the gavel to quiet the room

In addition to hitting with a tool, can also mean to strongly criticize or attack verbally in informal contexts.

• The critics hammered the new movie.
• He was hammered in the debate by his opponent.

Refers to hitting something heavily and repeatedly, often with dust or noise associated. Can also mean a strong heart beating.

• She pounded on the door with her fists.
• His heart was pounding with excitement.

Often used in contexts involving rhythmic hitting, or striking something repeatedly. It can also mean defeating someone in a game or competition.

• He beat the drum with enthusiasm.
• Our team beat the champions last night.

Specifically means to hit someone or something with your fists repeatedly, usually with the intent to cause harm. This has a negative connotation.

• The boxer pummeled his opponent until the referee intervened.
• The bully pummeled the smaller child in the playground.