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

But in the months leading up to the vote, the topic increasingly turned into a political bludgeon and partisan blame game. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025

Antiquated federal bureaucracy, bewildering jurisdictional rules and burdensome state taxation bludgeon the spirit of enterprise on tribal lands. —Adam Crepelle, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2025

Verb

The day ended Sunderland’s last top-tier stint, a 1-0 defeat confirming relegation and continuing a winless home run which spanned a loyalty-bludgeoning 364 days. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

Activists of Khan’s party were abducted, leaders hunted down, bought or bludgeoned into submission. —Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025

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