How to Use heavy-handed in a Sentence

heavy-handed

adjective
  • This show had to find a tonal balance and say something, but do so in a way that doesn’t feel heavy-handed.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 June 2023
  • One: Grab a bucket and fill it with water and 1/4 cup or a few squirts of dish soap (don’t be heavy-handed).
    — Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 8 Mar. 2023
  • This is a heavy-handed use of a law originally written for the Mafia.
    — The Editors, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023
  • In yet another heavy-handed move, the hunters even turn up with torches toward the end.
    — Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024
  • The few heavy-handed moments are mostly due to the narration.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 14 June 2024
  • For the Eagles to get such a heavy-handed win, and for both teams to clam up as to what happened, only added more intrigue to the story.
    — Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2023
  • There’s a real threat of backlash to Trump’s heavy-handed approach.
    — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Rights groups have accused police in France of responding to the wave of protests with heavy-handed tactics.
    — Morgan Coates, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2023
  • But, when the Evil Queen takes over, her dark manner and heavy-handed leadership oppress the people.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Those charges have prompted criticism from some that the state is being heavy-handed.
    — Jeff Martin and Jeff Amy, ajc, 7 Mar. 2023
  • Those charges have prompted criticism from some that the state is being heavy-handed.
    — Jeff Martin and Jeff Amy, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Mar. 2023
  • The protests resulted in scores of civilian deaths amid a heavy-handed response from Kenyan police.
    — Larry Madowo, CNN, 12 July 2024
  • Now Page steps into the firing line against the heavy-handed Magomedov as the betting underdog.
    — Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Some protests in recent weeks have turned violent and have been met by a heavy-handed police response.
    — Aurelien Breeden, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2023
  • Some protests in recent weeks have turned violent and have been met by a heavy-handed police response.
    — Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
  • De Moraes has been criticized for his heavy-handed tactics.
    — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2024
  • Two police units known for their heavy-handed tactics were disbanded after the DOJ launched its probe.
    — Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 7 Dec. 2024
  • His second victory has revived fears that Trump would seize MPD, then order it to be heavy-handed on city streets.
    — Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025
  • But a second major critique of DEI focuses on the heavy-handed policing of ideas.
    — Suzanne Nossel, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Within hours, one of the first accounts that posted it was suspended — a response so rare and heavy-handed that some users took it as a sign the leaks must be real.
    — Will Oremus, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
  • This might get tiresome — a heavy-handed dose of reflexive self-loathing — except the curators don’t follow through on the idea.
    — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024
  • The heavy-handed attempt to force Biden to quit the race after his disastrous debate has, predictably, backfired.
    — Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
  • Sometimes, weighty implication can feel more heavy-handed than just stating the thing straight out.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2023
  • But Purdue University board of trustees chair Michael Berghoff said the bill wouldn't change much, expressing doubt that the board would take a heavy-handed approach.
    — Ethan Sandweiss, NPR, 22 Mar. 2024
  • The move, which drew condemnation across the region, sent a message in line with Mr. Noboa’s heavy-handed approach to violence and graft.
    — Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
  • Having his fingerprints all over the offense raised the specter Napier’s hold was too heavy-handed when the Gators struggled to a 6-7 finish capped by a three-game losing streak.
    — Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2023
  • Dayana talks about being treated like an animal by Elias, and with the donkeys and goat and chickens always around in the motel yard, that metaphor feels heavy-handed.
    — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
  • But this heavy-handed assault on direct democracy is not the answer.
    — Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Mishra then abruptly juxtaposes a scene from Gaza, flush with heavy-handed language that bludgeons home his comparison.
    — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Many point out that while his concerns about academics and responsibilities are valid, his approach was heavy-handed and unfair — especially toward the girlfriend.
    — Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heavy-handed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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