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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of clout
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Today, hiring an Etsy witch has become a commodified exchange—often for social media clout.
—Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 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
After the Democratic National Committee stripped Iowa of its first-in-the-nation caucus status, the state lost national clout, fundraising attention, and organizing energy.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Today, hiring an Etsy witch has become a commodified exchange—often for social media clout.
—Taylor Crumpton, Time, 2 Sep. 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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The 1987 stock market crash was a further blow to the small company and an additional strain on its finances.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
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And the latest in the long line of big-name boxers to come to blows will be Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford who fight against one another on Saturday.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By the mid-1930s, however, Husseini’s influence was dimming.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Fall’s fashion trends mark a return to classicism, with influences from academia and the English countryside, and few pieces capture the mood as effortlessly as blazers.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After McNeil refused to get out of his car, Bowers smashed the driver’s side window, punched McNeil in the head and pulled him out of the SUV.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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But the biggest red flag comes in the first episode when Laura sees Cherry punch a guy on the street shortly after their first family dinner in London.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Together, the group dives into everything from Travis Kelce's slap incident to bold predictions for Monday Night Football.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
That’s a nice surprise for those of us who are tired of pretending that rocking chairs and flickering flashlights were ever scary — but a brutal slap in the face for anyone still taking these con-artist ghost busters seriously.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bowlan will go over different notes from the pitching staff and check in with his veteran teammates for advice on pitch selection and how to handle high-leverage situations.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The aim shifts from corporate adoption to personal leverage.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Chiefs crushed the Patriots that night, winning 41-14 at Arrowhead Stadium and Brady was benched after the Chiefs smacked him down.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Pinch-hitters Agustín Ramírez and Eric Wagaman then smacked consecutive RBI singles to deliver the Marlins their first lead of the series.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bass-heavy tracks carry plenty of thump while vocals still sound crisp, and the companion app gives you real control over the EQ.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
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And the thump, thump, thumping of her brother’s hands pounding a heavy bag.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Even if the measure advances out of the House, the Senate remains a massive roadblock, one where Majority Leader John Thune holds great sway.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
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The ruling landed as a symbolic rebuke of Musk’s sway over Tesla, and a warning about the excesses of Silicon Valley’s cult-of-founder ethos.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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