Heavy-handed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd/ heavy-hand·ed

Meaning & Definition of Heavy-handed

Heavy-handed (adjective)

  1. showing a lack of skill, clumsy
  2. oppressive, harsh

Heavy-handed (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint

    "the new manager's heavy-handed approach soon had employees turning in their letters of resignation"

    similar: austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, tough
    related: demanding, exacting, uncharitable, unforgiving, adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding, dour, gruff, ascetic, monastic, monkish, browbeating, bullying, determined, firm, resolved, single-minded, steadfast, unflinching, dogged, intractable, obstinate
    opposite: clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant
    near: easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding, charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted, accepting, compromising, yielding, responsive, willing, acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant

  2. lacking or showing a lack of nimbleness in using one's hands

    "felt heavy-handed and awkward when holding the newborn infant"

    similar: awkward, butterfingered, cack-handed (British), clumsy, graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, left-handed, maladroit, unhandy, all thumbs
    related: uncoordinated, bunglesome, bungling, gauche, inept, inexpert, unskilled, unskillful
    opposite: deft, dexterous, handy, sure-handed
    near: expert, masterly, skilled, skillful, coordinated

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Heavy-handed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Heavy-handed:

British: cack-handed
austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, tough, awkward, butterfingered, clumsy, graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, left-handed, maladroit, unhandy, all thumbs

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Heavy-handed

Words with the opposite meaning of Heavy-handed:

clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant, deft, dexterous, handy, sure-handed

Related Words for Heavy-handed

demanding, exacting, uncharitable, unforgiving, adamant, adamantine, callous, hardened, hard-hearted, hard-line, immovable, implacable, inflexible, merciless, ossified, pitiless, relentless, rock-ribbed, stiff, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unsparing, unyielding, dour, gruff, ascetic, monastic, monkish, browbeating

Near Antonyms of Heavy-handed

easy, easygoing, laid-back, undemanding, charitable, kind, merciful, mild, patient, soft, softhearted, accepting, compromising, yielding, responsive, willing, acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, complaisant, compliant, flexible, pliable, pliant, expert, masterly, skilled, skillful, coordinated

Word Forms of Heavy-handed

Derived words: heavy-handedly (adverb), heavy-handedness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Heavy-handed

First known use: 1647

Frequently Asked Questions about Heavy-handed

What does "Heavy-handed" mean?

"Heavy-handed" means showing a lack of skill, clumsy. As an adjective, it is defined as: showing a lack of skill, clumsy. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Heavy-handed"?

Other words for "Heavy-handed" include austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, ramrod, rigid and rigorous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Heavy-handed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Heavy-handed"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Heavy-handed". Common alternatives include austere, authoritarian, flinty, hard, harsh, ramrod, rigid, rigorous, severe and stern.

What is the opposite of "Heavy-handed"?

Antonyms of "Heavy-handed" include clement, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, lax, lenient, tolerant and deft. Near antonyms include easy, easygoing, laid-back and undemanding.

How do you use "Heavy-handed" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Heavy-handed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Heavy-handed" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Heavy-handed"?

"Heavy-handed" is pronounced /ˈhe-vē-ˈhan-dəd/ and divided into syllables as heavy-hand·ed.

What is the origin of the word "Heavy-handed"?

First known use: 1647.