as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
remodelers bludgeoned the wall with a sledgehammer to join the two rooms
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bludgeon
Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Peace in Ukraine and the Middle East is proving to be far harder to achieve than the real estate deals envisaged by the president, while the bludgeon of tariffs is raising ever more opposition among erstwhile allies.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025
O’Steen bludgeoned Marissa Grimes, dug a shallow grave for her under his house in west Fort Worth and for 10 days lived above where police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body, prosecutors have argued that the evidence shows.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Noun
When the Republican Charles Sumner was struck down by a Southerner on the Senate floor, Raymond’s paper called for armed resistance by pistol, bludgeon, and bowie knife, if necessary.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Peace in Ukraine and the Middle East is proving to be far harder to achieve than the real estate deals envisaged by the president, while the bludgeon of tariffs is raising ever more opposition among erstwhile allies.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
He had been bludgeoned with an axe, Cincinnati police Detective Jeff Smallwood testified.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025
O’Steen bludgeoned Marissa Grimes, dug a shallow grave for her under his house in west Fort Worth and for 10 days lived above where police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body, prosecutors have argued that the evidence shows.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
Noun
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Cover the pot and the bottom few inches of the rose canes with soil, then add a layer of mulch for insulation.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
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Cane sugar is a popular sweetener that comes from sugar cane or sugar beets.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a video posted just days before the competition started, Richter gets his butt slapped by his mentor.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
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The investigation, which includes an anti-dumping probe, comes just days after Mexican authorities slapped duties on an array of Chinese imports from textiles to steel and automotive parts.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In fact, the mischievous pup led his owner directly to the scene of the crime by licking his lips constantly, which seemed awfully curious.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Bear 856 is also a large, male brown bear, who is easily identifiable to park rangers due to the animal's unusual habit of licking his lips — a behavior not typically observed in brown bears.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After Bad Bunny kicks off Season 51, SNL will pass the baton to host Amy Poehler with musical guest Role Model, followed by Sabrina Carpenter‘s double-duty takeover as both host and musical guest.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Which is why Marant and Bekker are on a Zoom call one recent morning to chat about the passing of the baton.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Hikers hit Goat Trail Hill 'n Dale Hiking Club will hike Thursday along the Goat Trail to Steel Creek on the Buffalo National River.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The service itself pulsed with sound with horns blaring, drums pounding and voices rising in song.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Diego Morales Morales pounded pavement over the 12-month period, racking up $10,116 in fuel expenses alone traveling to various counties for meetings and events.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The announcement was not explicitly framed as a cudgel against drugmakers that had failed to agree to Trump’s previous pricing demands, but a three-year exemption from the tariffs was apparently enough to get Pfizer on board.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
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When words lose their original meanings and are repurposed as verbal cudgels, the public sphere becomes a jungle of denunciation, intimidation, and even violence.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The baby used her tail to smack the bird before taking it underwater, resurfacing to show boaters the bird had been skinned, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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The flintlock coughed a lot of smoke, but Zutterman heard the 270-grain roundball smack the buck.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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