1
as in smacked
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
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2
as in pounded
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
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Recent Examples of bludgeoned
Using a giant rock, Linda bludgeoned the local boat captain and sent both him and Zuri plunging to their deaths.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Once at the home, which sits just north of Burbank Boulevard, police found a bloody scene and investigators believe the woman was bludgeoned to death with an axe, Fox Los Angeles reported.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
White’s onslaught was only part of a crucial advantage for the Bulls, who bludgeoned the Nets from the 3-point arc in the first half (60%).
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
She was found hog-tied in her home, having been bludgeoned with a fire poker.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Others, like Eberhardt, were bludgeoned.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
After a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp, prosecutors concluded that Kathleen was bludgeoned to death.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Activists of Khan’s party were abducted, leaders hunted down, bought or bludgeoned into submission.
—Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors argued at trial that Dorotik bludgeoned and strangled her husband in their upstairs bedroom.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Once at the home, which sits just north of Burbank Boulevard, police found a bloody scene and investigators believe the woman was bludgeoned to death with an axe, Fox Los Angeles reported.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
White’s onslaught was only part of a crucial advantage for the Bulls, who bludgeoned the Nets from the 3-point arc in the first half (60%).
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
She was found hog-tied in her home, having been bludgeoned with a fire poker.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Others, like Eberhardt, were bludgeoned.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
After a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp, prosecutors concluded that Kathleen was bludgeoned to death.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Activists of Khan’s party were abducted, leaders hunted down, bought or bludgeoned into submission.
—Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors argued at trial that Dorotik bludgeoned and strangled her husband in their upstairs bedroom.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeoned
Verb
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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After accepting a cross-ice pass from Ryan McDonagh, Kucherov smacked a one-timer from outside the right faceoff dot over Swayman’s glove, tying the score at 5-5.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Like a medieval castle, where lords slept, blacksmiths pounded, soldiers trained, mummers mummed, and farmers sold their produce, the 21st century armory will be a mixed-use project in the truest sense.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Court documents say when the officers tried to leave, Catlett pounded on the hood and kicked the side door of their car.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beware of the word ‘spread’ slapped across anything passing itself off as pimento cheese.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The league also slapped the Pistons’ Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart with suspensions.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though his injuries were severe, the sailors watched in wonder as the cat determinedly licked his wounds, then got back to work destroying the rats threatening the ship’s food stores.—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
18 Feb. 2026
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Ghadimi licked her lips over and over.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Finally, Kylie Minogue bags another top 40 hit thanks to the release of Tension Tour/Live 2025 (Mushroom Music) on CD and vinyl.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The group of 11 skiers and four guides was returning from a three-day backcountry ski trip during a winter storm that dumped up to 7 feet of snow and lashed the mountains with 60 mph winds.—
Matt Gutman,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Clinton, instead of delivering the usual liberal-candidate-seeks-Black-votes hominy, lashed out at her words.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cooper went up for a fast-break dunk and Jamerson knocked him to the floor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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In his complaint, Rodriguez alleges the punch from Garcia knocked him unconscious.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pierce died after being whipped with a belt and being forced to stand in a cold shower, authorities said.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Winds whipped and livestock fled as first responders tried to quell the intense flames, another video showed.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeoned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeoned. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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