billy clubs

noun

plural of billy club
as in canes
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment rapping the shoes of the sleeping vagrant with his billy club, the officer told him to move on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of billy clubs After about a minute and half, Mauldin said, police began to attack the demonstrators with billy clubs. — Maya Miller, ProPublica, 15 May 2026 Mayhem erupted when the strikers were attacked with tear gas and billy clubs. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for billy clubs
  1. canes
  2. batons
Noun
  • Pruning In winter, when canes are done producing fruit for the season, prune the canes that bore fruit down to the base of the plant so new ones will grow in the spring.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sales of Cardinal’s consumer healthcare products, such as crutches, canes and its Leader brand of cough drops and other over-the-counter medications, are also reported here.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of canes
Noun
  • The Omaha Police Department said officers will continue to carry tasers, batons, OC spray and firearms.
    — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Running battles erupted throughout downtown as security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, while protesters responded with barricades, stones, and slingshots.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of batons

Browse Nearby Words

billy club
billy clubs
billycock
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Cite this Entry

“Billy clubs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/billy%20clubs. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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