as in thrashing
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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
2
as in pounding
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bludgeoning
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Bichette tried his best to deliver it, bludgeoning Ohtani’s hanging slider for a three-run home run in the third inning of a scoreless game.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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
Governor Andrew Cuomo uses his Attorney General as a bludgeoning tool for his own purposes.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Verb
Dennis, 53, was convicted of bludgeoning his ex-girlfriend Timwanika Lumpkins and UM linebacker Marlin Barnes to death with a shotgun in 1996.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Bichette tried his best to deliver it, bludgeoning Ohtani’s hanging slider for a three-run home run in the third inning of a scoreless game.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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
Governor Andrew Cuomo uses his Attorney General as a bludgeoning tool for his own purposes.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeoning
Noun
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Several Dolphins achieved neat feats during the uplifting 34-10 thrashing of the Falcons in Atlanta.—
Barry Jackson
Updated October 27,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
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This home thrashing also came just a day after LSU’s board voted to increase ticket prices for 2026.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Afterwards, Munchak says agents pulled their car in front of hers and surrounded the vehicle, pounding on it, telling her to open the doors and pointing a gun at her.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The metal giants are currently pounding their way through a long-overdue tour of Australia and New Zealand, a six-date coast-to-coast swing for the M72 World Tour.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The sound of hammering came from outside in the driveway, where some men were building a coffin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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First, rather than slapping a latex mask and makeup on Schuster-Koloamatangi, performance capture technology is used to have Dek’s face come alive with the actor’s expressions.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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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Others, like Ava Louise, do it through viral media stunts, like flashing the New York-Dublin Portal or licking a toilet seat in the beginning of the Covid pandemic.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In 2025, for all the play’s bickering and bashing, the eventual trajectory of Art feels almost saccharine.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 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,
9 Nov. 2025
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After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeoning. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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