as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
After bludgeoning Kansas City Royals starter Bailey Falter and jumping out to a seven-run lead, the Red Sox nearly saw things come completely off the rails after the Royals rallied for four runs late.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 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
Grippo bludgeoned Casado to death, delivering multiple blows with the makeshift weapon and fleeing before police arrived.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
After bludgeoning Kansas City Royals starter Bailey Falter and jumping out to a seven-run lead, the Red Sox nearly saw things come completely off the rails after the Royals rallied for four runs late.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
Noun
-
As Simeon and Tupe engaged in soothing effleurage and loudly vigorous tapotement, respectively, six Maori women surrounded their tables and sang folk songs in harmony, guided by an elder in the audience with a long, gnarled cane.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Now 77, widowed, remarried and using hearing aids and a cane, Novy hasn’t seen an increase in his $1,575 monthly worker’s compensation check — nor have the other more than 300 other PTD recipients — since 2016.—
TOM KERTSCHER,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Garraty is forced to slap himself across the face to stay awake as Barkovitch taunts him.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
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The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Video footage verified by CNN shows the moment an officer draws his baton amid a struggle with one demonstrator as other officers tussle with protesters on the ground.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rain pounded so hard Friday afternoon that Aventura police closed a portion of Biscayne Boulevard from 191st Street to 29th Avenue, near Aventura Mall, due to road flooding.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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TikTok videos often feature variations where pranksters pound on or kick people’s front doors.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And there are others who want to use it as a cudgel against history, against the Jewish people, against the State of Israel.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Mass firings of civil servants, the dismissal of government watchdogs, the weaponization of the military against our citizens, the use of the national budget as a cudgel, and the dehumanization of immigrants.—
Stacey Abrams,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Chiefs crushed the Patriots that night, winning 41-14 at Arrowhead Stadium and Brady was benched after the Chiefs smacked him down.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Pinch-hitters Agustín Ramírez and Eric Wagaman then smacked consecutive RBI singles to deliver the Marlins their first lead of the series.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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