as in canes
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the detainee claimed that the police had beat him with their batons even after he had been shackled
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Recent Examples of batons
The plaintiffs later accused the department of violating the order by hitting journalists with batons and arresting them during an August protest.
—
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Reuters reported that police used water cannons, batons, rubber bullets and tear gas against protesters.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The officers used batons and the butts of their rifles to strike the men in the face, neck, chest, and abdomen.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Rangers carry stun guns, expandable batons and pepper spray.
—Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 7 Sep. 2025
This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.
—Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
People that go to protests get beaten with batons.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
Barnett said police are often equipped with less lethal methods, like using batons, OC (pepper) spray, catch poles or umbrellas, to handle dogs on calls for service.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Harrowing footage from the Civil Rights era—courageous protesters demanding their right to vote, met with batons and tear gas—still haunts the American conscience.
—Essence, 6 Aug. 2025
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Reuters reported that police used water cannons, batons, rubber bullets and tear gas against protesters.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
The officers used batons and the butts of their rifles to strike the men in the face, neck, chest, and abdomen.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Rangers carry stun guns, expandable batons and pepper spray.
—Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 7 Sep. 2025
This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.
—Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
People that go to protests get beaten with batons.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
Barnett said police are often equipped with less lethal methods, like using batons, OC (pepper) spray, catch poles or umbrellas, to handle dogs on calls for service.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Harrowing footage from the Civil Rights era—courageous protesters demanding their right to vote, met with batons and tear gas—still haunts the American conscience.
—Essence, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for batons
canes
Noun
-
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
-
Multiple video cameras captured the dynamic choreo on giant screens behind the stage as McRae and her entourage danced with canes, strutted down a catwalk, seductively gyrated on moving platforms, and even pole-danced.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Batons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/batons. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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