bludgeon 1 of 2

noun

ˈblə-jən How to pronounce bludgeon (audio)
Definition of bludgeonnext
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound

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bludgeon

2 of 2

verb

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

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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 bludgeon
Noun
Antiquated federal bureaucracy, bewildering jurisdictional rules and burdensome state taxation bludgeon the spirit of enterprise on tribal lands. — Adam Crepelle, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2025 Mamdani’s critics, of course, quickly turned the word into a bludgeon. — John M. Crisp, Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
The Chicago Cubs bludgeoned their National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers and made all sorts of home-run history in the process. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The sound stage felt bludgeoned into submission throughout, as the intense distortion of bass, percussion and guitars made the instrument separation within the mix almost inaudible. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
  1. cane
  2. slap
  3. lick
  4. baton
  5. hit
  6. pound
  7. cudgel
  8. smack
Noun
  • With a bowler hat, a toothbrush mustache, and a crook cane, Charlie Chaplin’s bumbling alter ego the Tramp lit up the big screen.
    — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Just three days after surgery to remove one of his kidneys, Miller slowly strolled right in — cane in hand — and took a seat with Council, firing off jokes without missing a beat.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Residents have reported paying excessive amounts to retrieve their vehicles from tow yards, with companies sometimes slapping extra fees on drivers who contact the police, according to council members.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • Carter is licking his wounds after the rest of the tribe sent Ana home in a blindside.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Typically, only a low-value male resorts to this behavior, turning to foot-licking as the easiest way to ingratiate himself with women.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of lick
Noun
  • In the deciding Game 4, Vesia took the baton from Glasnow with two outs and two runners on in the fifth, got the inning’s final out on one pitch and came back out in the sixth.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In Paris, tear gas filled the air, and trash cans, school desks and chairs were set alight as riot police with shields and batons clashed with some demonstrators.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of baton
Verb
  • Residential real estate prices may hit a bottom in the third quarter of 2028, the report said.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • For Fleabag and The Tourist producer Two Brothers, the show is the first hitting the international market since its parent, All3Media, was acquired by Banijay.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Extreme tropical weather led to two deaths in Mexico and caused widespread damage over the weekend as Hurricane Simon pounded the country's Pacific coast, authorities said Monday.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rain pounded Las Vegas, which broke a daily rainfall record Sunday.
    — Adrian Florido, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of pound
Noun
  • Just the mere threat of a False Claims Act investigation is a powerful cudgel, lawyers have said.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • While lawmakers have mostly thrown their backing behind the bill, some are wary of granting the president even more leeway to impose import taxes as a foreign policy cudgel.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of cudgel
Verb
  • The Eagles also have been smacked with injuries and played without several key starters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And there’s rarely time to digest one controversy before the next one comes barreling down the road and smacks us in the mouth.
    — Bernard Goldberg, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of smack

Browse Nearby Words

bludged
bludgeon
bludgeoned
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Cite this Entry

“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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