Phrase guide

hatchet job

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A journalistic or other treatment which portrays its subject in a very unfavorable manner; a work of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • That article about the mayor is nothing more than a hatchet job.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: slam piece, hit piece, traducement, calumny, calumniation, obloquy, defamation

Antonyms: puff piece

2

noun

Meaning 2

An action or a program which imposes deep reductions in expenditure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • This so-called reform of our wage agreement was really just one big hatchet job!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: defamation, calumny, calumniation, obloquy, traducement

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: disparagement, depreciation, derogation

Narrower terms: character assassination, assassination, blackwash, smear, vilification, malignment, libel, slander, name calling, names, name, epithet

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.