as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Prosecutors said Korosa, who was wearing a walking boot on his foot and using a cane, struck the man on his back and head with the cane, causing the man to fall down the stairs and drop the boy.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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That's when Korosa allegedly hit Soria with a cane, causing Soria and Flores to plummet down the stairs.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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DraftKings, one of the biggest online sports gambling sites in Illinois, is slapping 50- or 25-cent fees on most bets.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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During the stream, Kardashian tagged along for Cenat's noodle game — basically, a challenge where the influencer and his friends take turns hitting each other on the head with pool noodles while participants wear helmets and don't know which of their peers slapped them from behind.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
2 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
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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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Beach, 46, was arrested for DWI-felony serious injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run/leave scene, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Every Dodger in the starting lineup had at least one hit on a night when there were 18 to go around.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
20 Aug. 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
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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 raw tuna got smacked with a Stop Sale.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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As of this publication, the final Conjuring movie starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren lands smack dab in the middle of the best and worst rated Conjuring Cinematic Universe films on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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