sledgehammer
|sledge-ham-mer|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈslɛdʒˌhæmər/
🇬🇧
/ˈslɛdʒˌhæmə/
heavy force
Etymology
Etymology Information
'sledgehammer' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'slegge,' where 'slegge' meant 'hammer.'
Historical Evolution
'slegge' transformed into the modern English word 'sledgehammer' through the addition of 'hammer' to specify its use.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a large hammer,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a large, heavy hammer used for such jobs as breaking rocks and driving in fence posts.
He used a sledgehammer to break the concrete.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a metaphor for a forceful or heavy-handed approach.
The new policy was a sledgehammer approach to a delicate issue.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/08 15:01