as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
a farmer armed with a cudgel drove us off his land
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as in to bludgeon
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Recent Examples of cudgel
Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025
In other words, marketers who want to take advantage of the big playoff ratings are generally required to purchase regular-season inventory, although that’s not to say that the premium units are deployed as a cudgel to move the more quotidian spots.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Timothy Ryback, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Before long, fairs had such attractions as cudgelling bouts, bearbaiting, and something called gouging.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cudgel
Noun
In the near term, countries can benefit from wielding trade as a cudgel.
—Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025
In other words, marketers who want to take advantage of the big playoff ratings are generally required to purchase regular-season inventory, although that’s not to say that the premium units are deployed as a cudgel to move the more quotidian spots.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Verb
Hitler exploited his 37% to gridlock legislative processes, to cudgel or crush the political opposition, and ultimately to undermine the country’s democratic structures.
—Timothy Ryback, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Before long, fairs had such attractions as cudgelling bouts, bearbaiting, and something called gouging.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cudgel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cudgel
Noun
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Studying cane fires when few occur guarantees skewed findings.—
Colin Walkes,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2025
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Because sugar cane absorbs more CO2 while growing than the amount that is released when making the packaging, this is considered a carbon-negative packaging solution, giving this sunscreen option bonus points for eco-friendliness.—
Mariana Zapata,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2025
Verb
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In June 1978, between appearances at the Windmill Dinner Theater in Scottsdale, Ariz., Crane was bludgeoned to death.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
8 June 2025
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Cardoso bludgeoned the Wings for the Chicago Sky’s first 10 points of the 97-92 win.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Rena Frye, their mother, rushed to the defense of her sons; the police pinned her to a patrol vehicle, and the officers took a baton to Marquette.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
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Some officers on the ground in recent days have worn basic uniforms, which include a handgun and a baton.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Kerry Carpenter clouted a key home run for the Detroit Tigers and Cole Ragans has pitched two terrific games for the Kansas City Royals among younger players stepping up.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes,
9 Oct. 2024
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Not since the former Yankee slugger clouted three home runs in a World Series game against the Dodgers in 1977 has Jackson done more with a pitch in the strike zone.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2024
Verb
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Orlando Sentinel Bondi’s conduct was assailed last week in a 23-page ethics complaint filed with the Bar by more than 70 prominent lawyers and professors, including two former Florida Supreme Court justices and a former president of the American Bar Association.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
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At a minimum, the explosion of animosity between the two powerful men could complicate the path forward for Republicans’ massive tax and border spending legislation that has been promoted by Trump but assailed by Musk.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The Big Ten player of the year chopped the first pitch to short for a 6-3 inning-ending double play.—
Brady Oltmans,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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That chopped more than 300 points off the CAC 40, almost three times more than car-maker Stellantis NV, the next biggest drag.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Verb
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The Giants haven’t had a 30-homer hitter in a single season since Bonds smacked 45 in 2004.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
16 June 2025
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Fifteen years ago, smack in the middle of Barack Obama's first term, amid the rapid rise of social media and a slow recovery from the Great Recession, a professor at the University of Connecticut issued a stark warning: the United States was heading into a decade of growing political instability.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 June 2025
Verb
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The plainness of the text there has a certain force — there are times where whacking a theme with a big hammer is the best course of action.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 June 2025
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One pitch later, Pete Alonso whacked a hanging curveball from Knack for a two-run homer.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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