1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the stubborn handle a solid clout to make it turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
has a great deal of clout in the film industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to punch
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
clouted the nail with the hammer and drove it all the way into the wood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clout
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
While the person being filmed is embarrassed, the one filming walks away with a reputation and clout.
—Eli Thompson, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024
But possible changes in whose voice matters might give the state superintendent more clout ahead.
—Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clout
Noun
There are only a handful of TV creators who have such clout in the industry.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2025
While the person being filmed is embarrassed, the one filming walks away with a reputation and clout.
—Eli Thompson, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Not since the former Yankee slugger clouted three home runs in a World Series game against the Dodgers in 1977 has Jackson done more with a pitch in the strike zone.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024
But possible changes in whose voice matters might give the state superintendent more clout ahead.
—Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clout
Noun
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Michael Owens / Getty Images A struggling Chicago Bears defense was dealt another blow Monday with news that defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles and is going to miss the rest of the season.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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The rain came down sideways, the temperature dipped from the 50s to the 40s, and Inter Miami’s playoff hopes took a big blow on Saturday night as Lionel Messi and his teammates lost 2-1 on the road to Nashville SC.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The pardon led to accusations of influence peddling, as Rich’s ex-wife made significant donations to the Democratic Party and the Clinton presidential library.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Next, a 10,000-pound concrete-and-steel battering ram was used to punch 24-foot holes through the ice, beginning at the far end of the whales' four-mile path to freedom, so as not to alarm them.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Following her latest pic Christy bowing at AFI Fest last week, Sydney Sweeney is looking to deliver another knockout punch with an upcoming film, and partnering with an A-list director to help deliver the blow.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That included two stellar stops in the waning seconds of the third with Carolina on the power play, rebuffing a slap shot and then blocking the rebound with his leg pad.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
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There are heated confrontations and a slap, and Alma ruins her shot at tenure after stealing a colleague's prescription pad to get more pain meds.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beijing, in other words, got Washington to forswear one of its best economic tools just as China was wielding its own leverage.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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The agreement could be a key piece of leverage in responding to China’s control of rare earth minerals.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Quietly handling the cornbread, with a buttery scent that smacks you right in the face, is her paternal grandmother.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Oct. 2025
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As the scene unfolds, the gorilla suddenly lifts its arm and smacks the glass, causing a crack.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The result is that the sonic boom becomes a sonic thump of 60 dB to 80 dB, or about that of a car door closing for those on the ground.—
David Szondy
October 28,
New Atlas,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are all about feeling every thump, and beat.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Polanco said in modern populist politics, on the left and right, a deep resume doesn't hold as much sway with voters.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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The country’s military junta and their Russian partners are struggling to counter the jihadis, who now hold sway in many parts of the huge Sahelian country.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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