1
as in smacking
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
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2
as in pounding
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in thrashing
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bludgeoning
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But there's a difference between helping a parent stay on track with a new regime and bludgeoning them with reminders.
—Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Correa’s return to Houston concluded with a 12-0 bludgeoning by the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, finishing a six-game homestand in which the Astros were outscored 44-17 and, on Friday, came within four outs of having a perfect game thrown against them.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Unlike bludgeoning Ryan to death with a toilet-tank lid, Harrison’s assault of Vinny is pure fantasy.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 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
Can the Chiefs similarly start bludgeoning teams as the season winds down?
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
The killer or killers then backtracked through the crime scene, bludgeoning his victims dozens of more times in the head.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Sneed admitted to robbing and bludgeoning Van Treese and was sentenced to life in prison.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
Story editing is a form of self-talk that preempts your under-estimator from seizing control with its bludgeoning feedback.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But there's a difference between helping a parent stay on track with a new regime and bludgeoning them with reminders.
—Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Correa’s return to Houston concluded with a 12-0 bludgeoning by the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, finishing a six-game homestand in which the Astros were outscored 44-17 and, on Friday, came within four outs of having a perfect game thrown against them.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Unlike bludgeoning Ryan to death with a toilet-tank lid, Harrison’s assault of Vinny is pure fantasy.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 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
Can the Chiefs similarly start bludgeoning teams as the season winds down?
—Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
The killer or killers then backtracked through the crime scene, bludgeoning his victims dozens of more times in the head.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Sneed admitted to robbing and bludgeoning Van Treese and was sentenced to life in prison.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeoning
Verb
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
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Cal Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle for most home runs in one season for a switch hitter after smacking his 54th dinger yesterday.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Layered with live jazz and pounding percussion from experimental duo Robin Schulkowsky and Joey Baron, the result gave Hedda an extra pulse.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
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My heart was pounding in my chest and in my ears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The latest thrashing of an opponent came Saturday evening, when the Broncos (3-1) scored a 47-14 victory over App State (2-2).—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Sep. 2025
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Europe romped to a nine-point thrashing.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By slapping a $100,000 filing fee on H=1B visas, the White House has declared the days of cheap labor pipelines and visa abuse officially over.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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On the knee-to-knee collision between each team’s superstar, Collier badly rolled her left ankle and was lying on the floor and slapping the court with her hand as Thomas made her drive.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In fact, the mischievous pup led his owner directly to the scene of the crime by licking his lips constantly, which seemed awfully curious.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Bear 856 is also a large, male brown bear, who is easily identifiable to park rangers due to the animal's unusual habit of licking his lips — a behavior not typically observed in brown bears.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The 4-0 hammering in France has seen Ajax’s chance of elimination before the knockout stage rise to 85 per cent.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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There and at Jebel Misma, the team found stone-hammering tools left behind by the artists in layers of sediment dating back 12,000 years.—
Martin J. Kernan,
Scientific American,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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The Dodgers are one of the better teams in baseball at hitting changeups from lefties like Sánchez.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Imelda pulled away from the Bahamas Monday evening after lashing the islands with heavy rain, tropical storm-force winds and storm surge for two days.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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Loners lashing out America has had genuine subversives and left-wing terror networks in the past.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeoning. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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