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heavy-handed Definition

heavy-handed (-han′did)

adjective

  1. without a light touch; clumsy or tactless
  2. cruel, oppressive, or tyrannical

heavy-handed Related Forms
heavy-hand′edly adverb heavy-hand′edness noun
heavy-handed Synonyms

heavy-handed

modif.

  1. Strict

    oppressive, harsh, coercive; see cruel 2, severe 2.

  2. Awkward

    clumsy, inept, unskillful; see awkward 1.

heavy-handed Usage Examples

Preposition: at

  • time: I've found OG very heavy-handed at times on moderation ( not with regards to my own postings, I hasten to add!

Modifies a noun

  • tactic: He promised to meet with the police to discuss these heavy-handed tactics.
  • intervention: He claims they are moving away from heavy-handed state intervention and regulation.
  • approach: Surely the law should make people aware of these changes rather than diving straight in with a heavy-handed approach.
  • attempt: Unfortunately the rest of the production doesn't match their level, as the flash-forwards all play as heavy-handed attempts at irony.
  • regulation: It has the choice of a light touch or heavy-handed detailed regulation.
  • action: The heavy-handed actions of Scotland Yard have made sure that for the foreseeable future we certainly won't have one.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: STONE during 1961, a rather heavy-handed melodrama starring Vivian Leigh.
  • too: I do agree, however, with Randy's comments about Mick Harvey being too heavy-handed.
  • little: It does seem that the Russians have been a little heavy-handed.
  • very: I've found OG very heavy-handed at times on moderation ( not with regards to my own postings, I hasten to add!
  • not: The author is an academic and his style, while not heavy-handed, shows it.
  • somewhat: There were no original songs and the album was somewhat heavy-handed in its production.

Used with adjective complement

  • get: Meanwhile, police are getting heavy-handed at a sit-down protest at Cambridge Circus.
  • become: Creator Diane English left the show to produce other projects; her light touch was missed, as the show became more heavy-handed.
  • appear: In the current political climate, these attempts at topicality appear remarkably heavy-handed.