clout 1 of 2

Definition of cloutnext

clout

2 of 2

verb

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 clout
Noun
After the 2020 census reported a population decline, California for the first time in its history lost a seat in Congress, going from 53 to 52 — leading to suggestions its political clout is waning. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 The closest approximations were in San Francisco, where brothers Phil and John Burton held great sway, and Los Angeles, where another pair of siblings, Howard and Michael Berman, exercised enormous clout with their compatriot, Henry Waxman. Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Pellegrino, a 6-foot-3 forward who’s nearly devoid of body fat and brims with energy, clouted the ball out the air for the third goal and ran toward the supporters section, raising the crowd’s volume. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025 The recall was widely seen as a litmus test for how much clout the national conservative group can wield in non-partisan local politics. Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clout
Noun
  • Sheehan managed to keep the Rockies from landing the big blow.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The Senate’s quick passage of the 10-day patch was starkly different than the House’s rare overnight session, during which House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was dealt two consecutive blows.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the livestream, Peters is seen speaking with the young woman while appearing to be under the influence and exhibiting slurred speech.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Five centuries after the decisive victory that led Babur to make Hindustan his home, Mughal influence remains deeply embedded in India’s culture, language, cuisine, and architecture.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Charges say that's when the suspect punched the victim on the left side of his face with a closed fist.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • In the video, Paul appeared to punch, kick and throw chairs at Mortensen while her young daughter watched and cried.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Kimmell gained the Ducks’ zone, faking a slap shot and then curling back toward the blue line to find a trailing Haula.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The bearded blueliner has skated through the bumps and bruises that come with delivering checks and deflecting slap shots.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Many were acquired between 2019 and 2022 at elevated valuations and financed with aggressive leverage, assumptions that are now being tested in a higher-rate environment.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
  • While giants such as Walmart and Target may have the leverage to enforce strict liability waivers, smaller retailers might take the opposite approach, absorbing AI risk as a way to differentiate themselves and earn customer trust.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Rich Township definitely didn’t know what to do Tuesday with Holley, who smacked two doubles and drove in three runs for H-F in a 10-3 win at Illinois-Chicago’s Curtis Granderson Stadium.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • LaRoche smacked a 2-1 pitch to deep right for a 3-run home run in the bottom of the first.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Safety is the second major constraint, as SkyDream identifies trailer sway at high speed as one of the most persistent engineering challenges in towable systems.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Editors debate entries all year long, using only cultural sway as rubric.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on clout

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster