Antonyms of adj light-handed

1 sense of light-handed

Sense 1
light-handed -- (having a metaphorically delicate touch; "the translation is...light-handed...and generally unobtrusive"- New Yorker)

INDIRECT (VIA delicate) -> rugged -- (sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring; "with a house full of boys you have to have rugged furniture")

Similarity of adj light-handed

1 sense of light-handed

Sense 1
light-handed -- (having a metaphorically delicate touch; "the translation is...light-handed...and generally unobtrusive"- New Yorker)
       => delicate (vs. rugged) -- (exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury; "a delicate violin passage"; "delicate china"; "a delicate flavor"; "the delicate wing of a butterfly")