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heavy-handed

heavy-handed

14 6.3
Using too much force or strict control when dealing with people
  • adjective
  • /ˈhɛviˈhændɪd/
translation icon : autoritario
  • The company's heavy-handed policies led to employee dissatisfaction and low morale.
  • heavy-handed approach
  • heavy-handed tactics
  • heavy-handed action

The anti woke right is increasingly wielding heavy-handed tactics.

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Examples

  • I love Valve games, but their guidance is often way too heavy-handed for my taste.

    Blog text (9)
  • The Kremlin's heavy-handed approach toward critical media outlets has shocked liberal opinion.

    Academic text (2002)
  • I mean, the goal is to show, not in a heavy-handed way, but to show that these are real concerns for real people.

  • Rapid large scale government regulation feels heavy-handed but necessary.

  • In any case, the Bush administration needs to avoid the heavy-handed approach traditionally associated with US policy toward Central America.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Milongo's heavy-handed approach to bringing the army under civilian control nearly led to disaster.

    Academic text (1994)
  • All took place amid the latest round of heavy-handed crackdowns on dissent after the Arab Spring.

    Blog text (6)
  • When leftist rebels challenged these governments, the military-controlled Guatemalan state apparatus responded with heavy-handed repression.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The teacher's heavy-handed discipline made the students feel oppressed.

  • Many residents feel that the mayor's heavy-handed tactics are harming community relations.

Synonyms

harsh
vsheavy-handed
289 2.8

Unkind and too strict in what someone says or does to others

combines that severity with unnecessary force or authoritative pressure
severe
vsheavy-handed
68 4.2

Very strict and harsh when judging or punishing people

adds unnecessary force or heavy authority beyond strictness alone
forceful
vsheavy-handed
62 4.3

Showing strong power and clear confidence in speech or actions

goes further by using unnecessary force or harsh control
overbearing
vsheavy-handed
30 5.8

Being proud and trying to control other people

applies unneeded force or severity rather than only controlling people
coercive
vsheavy-handed
  • Offensive
26 7.6

Using force or threats to make someone do something

uses harsh physical or authoritative force unnecessarily rather than just threats
domineering
vsheavy-handed
12 7.4

Trying to control other people and not listening to their ideas

relies on extra harshness or force rather than mere arrogance
in-your-face
vsheavy-handed
  • Informal
8 8.4

Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice

uses excess force or harsh authority rather than just bold confrontation
high-handed
vsheavy-handed
  • Formal
3 8.1

Using power in a rude way that ignores other people's views

uses unnecessary force or harsh authority instead of merely ignoring views
iron-fisted
vsheavy-handed
2 7.6

A leader who uses very strict rules to control people

emphasizes unnecessary force and harsh handling in many situations
roughshod
vsheavy-handed
1 8.9

Acting in a harsh way that ignores other people's feelings

focuses on unnecessary force and authority rather than general cruelty
overaggressive
vsheavy-handed
1 5.8

Too forceful or pushy in a way that makes other people uncomfortable

adds unnecessary harshness or authority beyond mere overassertiveness
dominating
vsheavy-handed
1 5.6

Trying to control other people in a forceful or unfair way

applies unnecessary force or harsh measures beyond simple control
iron-handed
vsheavy-handed
7.9

A leader who uses very strict control over people

applies excessive force or authority beyond strict enforcement

Antonyms

235 1.0

Kind and not strong in action, sound, or touch

11 4.0

Being careful and polite when speaking to avoid hurting people

How Harsh

brutal
  • NSFW
229 4.8
oppressive
43 6.3
harsh
289 2.8
heavy-handed
14 6.3
strict
359 3.2
gentle
235 1.0

Surface Forms

heavy-handed positive
heavier-handed comparative
heaviest-handed superlative

Morphology

heavy-handed = heavy + handed (semi-transparent) = heavy + handed

The metaphorical extension to force or harshness is predictable from 'heavy' + 'handed' but is figurative rather than literal.

Etymology

Heavy-handed comes from joining heavy ('forceful') and handed ('with the hand'), so think of a leader or person using a 'heavy hand' to push people or rules around. That image shows too much pressure or control. So heavy-handed can mean using too much force or being harsh.