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
Dozens of agents swarmed the area along with a military vehicle, Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, told USA TODAY, saying agents used batons and mace on demonstrators.
—
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Today his agents used batons and pepper spray on street vendors and bystanders on Canal Street.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Harvick said agents get training in use of physical force, batons, pepper ball launchers and chemical agents such as tear gas.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 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
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Today his agents used batons and pepper spray on street vendors and bystanders on Canal Street.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Harvick said agents get training in use of physical force, batons, pepper ball launchers and chemical agents such as tear gas.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for batons
canes
Noun
-
To help your plants establish, make sure to get potted raspberries in the ground at least 4 to 6 weeks before frost is expected, or choose bare root canes, which are dormant and can be planted even later in the season, as long as the ground isn't frozen.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Avoid long or sharp swords, sticks or canes to prevent injury if a child trips and falls.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Batons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/batons. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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