Mallet vs. Sledgehammer — What's the Difference?

A mallet is a kind of hammer, often made of rubber or sometimes wood, that is smaller than a maul or beetle, and usually has a relatively large head. The term is descriptive of the overall size and proportions of the tool, and not the materials it may be made of, though most mallets have striking faces that are softer than steel.

A sledgehammer is a tool with a large, flat, often metal head, attached to a long handle. The long handle combined with a heavy head allows the sledgehammer to gather momentum during a swing and apply a large force compared to hammers designed to drive nails.

A short-handled hammer, usually with a cylindrical head of wood, used chiefly to drive a chisel or wedge.

A long heavy hammer, often wielded with both hands, used for driving wedges and posts and for other heavy work.

A similar tool with a rubber, leather, or plastic head, used to strike a surface without damaging it.

To strike with or as if with a sledgehammer.

(Sports) A long-handled implement used to strike a ball, as in croquet and polo.

Ruthlessly severe; crushing

(Music) A light hammer with a rounded head for striking a percussion instrument.

A hammer that consists of a large, heavy, broad and flat block of metal (the head) attached to a handle typically 0.5 meter to 1 meter long. The sledgehammer's design is meant to allow it to be swung powerfully, and to distribute force over a wide area upon impact.

A type of hammer with a larger-than-usual head made of wood, rubber or similar non-iron material, used by woodworkers for driving a tool, such as a chisel. A kind of maul.

(transitive) To strike (something) with a sledgehammer.

(weapons) A weapon resembling the tool, but typically much larger.

A heavy long-handled hammer used to drive stakes or wedges

(music) A small hammer-like tool used for playing certain musical instruments.

Beat with a sledgehammer

(games) A light beetle with a long handle used in playing croquet.

(sports) The stick used to strike the ball in the sport of polo.

(transitive) To beat or strike with, or as if with, a mallet.

A small maul with a short handle, - used esp. for driving a tool, as a chisel or the like; also, a light beetle with a long handle, - used in playing croquet.

A sports implement with a long handle and a head like a hammer; used in sports (polo or croquet) to hit a ball

A light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike percussion instruments

A tool resembling a hammer but with a large head (usually wooden); used to drive wedges or ram down paving stones or for crushing or beating or flattening or smoothing