hammering
/ˈhæmərɪŋ/
NOUN
1. The act of repeatedly striking or hitting
The action of hitting something or someone repeatedly or forcefully, typically with a hammer, another implement, or the fist.
1.1. Repeated physical blows
Refers to a series of forceful strikes against a person, object, or surface, often producing a loud, repetitive sound or causing damage.
Synonyms
Examples
- The construction crew's relentless hammering could be heard from blocks away.
- The hammering of the woodpecker against the tree trunk echoed through the forest.
- Despite the rain hammering against the windows, she remained focused on her work.
Related Words
1.2. A continuous pounding or knocking sound
Describes a loud, repeated noise resembling someone striking a surface with a hammer, such as knocking on a door or pounding against a window.
Synonyms
Examples
- His heart raced with each loud hammering on the door.
- The constant hammering outside made it difficult to concentrate.
Related Words
NOUN
2. A surface texture produced by repeated hammer blows
A decorative or textured appearance on metalware, especially silverware, created by striking the surface repeatedly with a hammer.
2.1. Hammered metal finish
Refers to the pattern of small dents or indentations formed on metal through repeated hammering, commonly used as a decorative finish on metal objects.
Synonyms
- planished finish
- dimpled finish
Examples
- The silver bowl had an attractive hammered finish.
- The artisan used traditional hammering techniques to create a textured copper surface.
Related Words
- metalwork
- silverware
- craftsmanship
- surface texture
- metalworking
NOUN
3. A severe or overwhelming defeat
A decisive defeat in a competition, contest, or confrontation, usually by a substantial margin.
3.1. Decisive defeat in a competition
Describes a heavy loss in which one competitor or team is beaten convincingly by an opponent.
Synonyms
- drubbing
- thrashing
- trouncing
- rout
- shellacking
- walloping
Antonyms
- victory
- triumph
- win
Examples
- The visiting team suffered a humiliating hammering in the championship final.
- The election results represented a major hammering for the ruling party.
Related Words
- defeat
- loss
- competition
- domination
- score
VERB
4. To strike repeatedly with force
To hit something or someone again and again with a hammer, another implement, or the fist.
4.1. Repeatedly hitting an object or person
Describes delivering successive blows to an object or person, often to drive, break, damage, or force something into a particular position.
Synonyms
Examples
- The blacksmith's rhythmic hammering echoed through the workshop as he shaped the metal.
- The workers were hammering the wooden boards into place.
- The storm kept hammering the roof with heavy rain.
Related Words
- striking
- banging
- smashing
- clobbering
- hitting
4.2. Forging or shaping material by repeated blows
Refers to forming, flattening, or shaping metal and other materials by striking them repeatedly with a hammer or similar tool.
Synonyms
- forging
- shaping
- planishing
- fashioning
- beating
Examples
- The blacksmith spent the afternoon hammering a piece of hot iron into a blade.
- The craftsman was hammering the copper into a decorative bowl.
Related Words
- blacksmithing
- metalworking
- crafting
- anvil
- molding
4.3. Repeatedly emphasizing an idea or message
Describes stressing a particular point, argument, or message repeatedly to make it especially clear or memorable.
Synonyms
- emphasizing
- stressing
- underscoring
- reiterating
- reinforcing
- insisting
Antonyms
- downplaying
- understating
- minimizing
Examples
- The teacher kept hammering the importance of regular practice into the students.
- The report was hammering home the need for immediate action.
Related Words
- highlighting
- repeating
- explaining
- persuading
- reminding
4.4. Hitting someone or something particularly hard
Refers to delivering an especially powerful blow or attacking something with considerable force.
Synonyms
Examples
- The boxer was hammering his opponent with powerful punches.
- The hailstorm was hammering the windows and damaging the roof.
Related Words
- attacking
- striking
- slamming
- whacking
- assaulting
4.5. Riding or traveling at high speed
Describes moving or riding very fast, often with considerable energy or urgency.
Synonyms
- racing
- speeding
- tearing along
- charging
- rushing
Antonyms
- crawling
- creeping
- moving slowly
Examples
- The cyclist was hammering along the road during the final stretch.
- He spent the afternoon hammering down the highway on his motorcycle.
Related Words
- accelerating
- dashing
- driving
- hurrying
- riding
4.6. Experiencing an internal pounding sensation
Describes a strong, repeated throbbing or pounding sensation inside the body, especially in the head or chest.
Synonyms
- throbbing
- pounding
- pulsating
- thumping
Examples
- His head was hammering after a sleepless night.
- Her heart was hammering as she waited for the announcement.
Related Words
4.7. Defeating an opponent decisively
Describes beating a person, team, or competitor by a substantial margin or with overwhelming superiority.
Synonyms
- thrashing
- trouncing
- routing
- crushing
- walloping
- drubbing
Antonyms
- losing
- surrendering
- being defeated
Examples
- The home team was hammering its rivals by three goals before halftime.
- The defending champions kept hammering their opponents throughout the final.
Related Words
- dominating
- outplaying
- overpowering
- vanquishing
- winning
4.8. Putting excessive demands on a system or service
Refers to placing unusually heavy demands on a system, organization, or service, often pushing its capacity or resources toward their limits.
Synonyms
- straining
- taxing
- overburdening
- overloading
- stressing
Antonyms
- relieving
- easing
- lightening
Examples
- The sudden increase in visitors was hammering the website's servers.
- The prolonged heat wave was hammering the electricity grid.
Related Words
4.9. Declaring someone a stock-exchange defaulter
Refers to formally declaring a person or trader in default for failing to meet financial obligations on a stock exchange.
Synonyms
- declaring in default
- defaulting
Examples
- The exchange was hammering the trader for failing to meet the required settlement obligations.
Related Words
- stock exchange
- financial default
- broker
- settlement
- liability
4.10. Driving down a stock price or market value
Describes causing the price of a stock or the value of a market to fall sharply, usually through heavy selling or unfavorable developments.
Synonyms
- depressing
- driving down
- pushing down
- lowering
- reducing
Antonyms
- raising
- boosting
- increasing
- lifting
Examples
- Heavy selling was hammering the company's share price.
- The disappointing earnings report was hammering the value of the stock.
Related Words
- stock market
- share price
- selling pressure
- market decline
- devaluation