Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [hev-ee han-did]
- /ˈhɛv i ˈhæn dɪd/
- /ˈhevi hænd/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [hev-ee han-did]
- /ˈhɛv i ˈhæn dɪd/
Definitions of heavy-handed word
- adjective heavy-handed oppressive; harsh: a heavy-handed master. 1
- adjective heavy-handed clumsy; graceless: a heavy-handed treatment of the theme. 1
- adjective heavy-handed severe, oppressive 1
- adjective heavy-handed If you say that someone's behaviour is heavy-handed, you mean that they are too forceful or too rough. 0
- graded adjective heavy-handed If someone is heavy-handed with something, they use too much of it or use it in a clumsy way. 0
- adjective heavy-handed clumsy 0
Information block about the term
Origin of heavy-handed
First appearance:
before 1625 One of the 42% oldest English words
First recorded in 1625-35
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Heavy-handed
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
heavy-handed popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 34% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 64% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
Synonyms for heavy-handed
adj heavy-handed
- coercive — Coercive measures are intended to force people to do something that they do not want to do.
- cruel — Someone who is cruel deliberately causes pain or distress to people or animals.
- harsh — ungentle and unpleasant in action or effect: harsh treatment; harsh manners.
- oppressive — burdensome, unjustly harsh, or tyrannical: an oppressive king; oppressive laws.
- severe — harsh; unnecessarily extreme: severe criticism; severe laws.
Antonyms for heavy-handed
adj heavy-handed
- kind — of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.
- gentle — kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
- mild — amiably gentle or temperate in feeling or behavior toward others.
- adroit — Someone who is adroit is quick and skilful in their thoughts, behaviour, or actions.
- dexterous — Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with he
- Words starting with hea
- Words starting with heav
- Words starting with heavy
- Words starting with heavyh
- Words starting with heavyha
- Words starting with heavyhan
- Words starting with heavyhand
- Words starting with heavyhande
- Words starting with heavyhanded