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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bludgeon
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
The bleakness and relentless barrage of bad times is the point, but its bludgeon is both its purpose and its problem.
—Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
City News Service, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
Most historians believe Gunness would first poison her suitors, then finish them with an ax or by bludgeoning — afterward dismembering the corpses and burying what remained.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Noun
The next unethical president on the left will happily use whatever government bludgeon this administration fashions to pummel the right.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
The bleakness and relentless barrage of bad times is the point, but its bludgeon is both its purpose and its problem.
—Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Alubidy grabbed a trailer tow hitch and bludgeoned the 5-foot-tall, 130-pound victim.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
Most historians believe Gunness would first poison her suitors, then finish them with an ax or by bludgeoning — afterward dismembering the corpses and burying what remained.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
Noun
-
Of course, Philly’s historic cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways and uneven sidewalks aren’t wheelchair- or cane-friendly, and are a challenge for people with mobility limitations.—
Laura Baehr,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In videos widely shared to social media, Joel is seen looking thin, walking on stage with the help of a cane, a sign of his condition, a neurological disorder called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That performance included baton twirlers and horses galloping through the crowd.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
People have decided who is going to be the next person, and then just passing down the baton.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Walpole got on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Without its dynamic starting quarterback, the Cougars were outpaced by visiting Inglewood, which pounded the rock in a 40-16 victory on Friday at Saddleback College.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Trump has wielded them like a cudgel to get better trade deals with other countries.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Likability can be a cudgel against female characters, and, thanks to Girls, Konner is used to dealing with questions on that subject.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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