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heavy-handedusing excessive force, authority, or control; lacking subtlety or sensitivity

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: using excessive force, authority, or control; lacking subtlety or sensitivity

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɛvi ˈhændɪd/

Example Sentences

  • The teacher's heavy-handed punishment made the students more rebellious.
  • His heavy-handed attempt to fix the delicate watch resulted in complete destruction.
  • The company's heavy-handed layoffs damaged employee morale severely.

heavy-handed

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈhɛvi ˈhændɪd/]

using excessive force, authority, or control; lacking subtlety or sensitivity

a large security guard aggressively blows his whistle while pointing sternly at children who are simply playing normally on the playground equipment. He waves his arms dramatically and appears to be shouting, treating minor playground activities as serious violations. The children immediately stop their innocent games and huddle together with worried expressions. Some kids begin to cry while others look confused about what they did wrong. Parents in the background shake their heads disapprovingly at the guard's overreaction.  using excessive force and authority while lacking subtlety or sensitivity in handling a simple situation
💡 Concept

a large security guard aggressively blows his whistle while pointing sternly at children who are simply playing normally on the playground equipment. He waves his arms dramatically and appears to be shouting, treating minor playground activities as serious violations. The children immediately stop their innocent games and huddle together with worried expressions. Some kids begin to cry while others look confused about what they did wrong. Parents in the background shake their heads disapprovingly at the guard's overreaction. using excessive force and authority while lacking subtlety or sensitivity in handling a simple situation

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈhɛvi ˈhændɪd/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈhɛvi ˈhændɪd/

🌳Etymology

Rootheavy-hand
Suffix--ed

Origin

From the literal phrase 'heavy hand,' dating back to the 16th century. The metaphor developed from the idea that a heavy hand cannot perform delicate work and tends to be clumsy or forceful.

Breakdown

heavy (weighty, forceful) + handed (having hands, characterized by the use of hands)

🎵Rhyme

candidhandedlanded
candid
handed
landed

🔗Collocations

heavy-handed approach
heavy-handed tactics
heavy-handed government
heavy-handed enforcement
heavy-handed management
heavy-handed response

📝Examples

The teacher's heavy-handed punishment made the students more rebellious.

😄 Fun example

His heavy-handed attempt to fix the delicate watch resulted in complete destruction.

The company's heavy-handed layoffs damaged employee morale severely.

😄 Fun example

Mom's heavy-handed seasoning turned the soup into a salt mine explosion.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

oppressiveauthoritarianharshbrutalexcessive

Antonyms

gentlesubtlelight-handed

Related

forcefuldomineeringoverbearingautocratic

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