bludgeon

1 of 2

noun

blud·​geon ˈblə-jən 

1

: a short stick that usually has one thick or loaded end and is used as a weapon

2

: something used to attack or bully

the bludgeon of satire

bludgeon

2 of 2

verb

bludgeoned; bludgeoning; bludgeons

transitive verb

1

: to hit with heavy impact

was bludgeoned to death

2

: to attack or overcome by aggressive argument : bully

mental bludgeoning

We do not talk—we bludgeon one another with facts and theories …

—Henry Miller

Synonyms of bludgeon

Noun

• cane
• baton
• cudgel

Verb

• slap
• hit
• smack
• knock
• punch
• slam
• bang
• strike
• clap
• whack
• pound
• swipe
• clip
• bat

Examples of bludgeon in a Sentence

Noun

guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound

Verb

remodelers bludgeoned the wall with a sledgehammer to join the two rooms

the boxer bludgeons opponents with an assortment of punches

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For decades, the Fifth Fleet has been the U.S.’s principle bludgeon to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait. —Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

Iran practices honest bludgeon work. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026

Verb

For nearly eight years, the Ukrainian army—with the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion at the vanguard—tried to bludgeon the uprising into submission. —Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026

Here, the laughs are bludgeoned to death, never more so than in the final stretch when multiple Ghostfaces converge. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

Verb

verbal derivative of bludgeon entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bludgeon

• dudgeon
• gudgeon

Kids Definition

bludgeon

1 of 2 noun

blud·​geon ˈbləj-ən 

: a short club with one end thicker and heavier than the other

bludgeon

2 of 2 verb

: to hit very hard : beat