heavy-handed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While most tech companies have pledged to abide by Australian laws, they have warned that the heavy-handed move could simply push teens to darker, less-regulated corners of the internet.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

And Venezuelans are still grappling with the legacy of the crime wave—as well as the state’s heavy-handed response.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

And for all its heavy-handed writing and mystifying character flourishes, “Tow” manages to be mostly an effective, if silly, story of perseverance, thanks almost entirely to Byrne’s dogged performance.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

Previous heavy-handed law enforcement tactics under former council members yielded minimal results, while current efforts focus on addressing root causes of homelessness, addiction, and neighborhood disinvestment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

“Y’all be gettin mad heavy-handed on the mayo. And put sweet peppers on there for me, my dude.”

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds