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
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
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
Noun
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeoning
Verb
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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
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The two had a peculiar conversation where Hawkins said Clifton missed smacking her rear end.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills got back on track Sunday by pounding the Carolina Panthers 40-9 and ending a two-game losing streak.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
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The storm is already pounding Jamaica, and NHC meteorologists urge residents to shelter in place.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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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At one point, Ginger is seen repeatedly slapping Jesse’s behind.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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He's also accused of slapping a nearby female passenger and trying to hit a crew member.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Collins is no doubt licking his chops studying tape of another Patriots rookie, left guard Jared Wilson, who allowed two sacks last weekend.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 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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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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LogoPowered byScale logo Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, is slowly cutting through the Caribbean, soaking and lashing those in its path with torrential rain and catastrophic winds.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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By early evening, Melissa was still lashing the island with gusts potentially estimated as high as 200 mph near the eye and in the mountains.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeoning. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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