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
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
To my eye, these old-school buyer/seller metrics give property owners an incorrect sense of their market clout.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
There's a voice from an athlete who's been in multiple Olympics and is carrying a certain clout.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
To my eye, these old-school buyer/seller metrics give property owners an incorrect sense of their market clout.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 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
-
Case considered a blow to Hong Kong media Lai founded Apple Daily in 1995, two years before Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule after 156 years as a British colony.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Liverpool were their own worst enemy as their hopes of Champions League qualification suffered another blow.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
China is seizing an opportunity to challenge American dominance in global finance and exert greater international influence at the expense of the all-powerful US dollar.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Even though the software is extremely limited right now—people can explore their AI worlds for only one minute—investors worry the service may eventually diminish the influence of major studios.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mohamed adds punch to the running game.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Last week, the Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Let’s go with the speedy Maloney, who may not have a home run in her career but is arguably the college game’s premier slap hitter.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
-
After faking a slap shot, Kucherov had sent a pass down to Guentzel.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If Cody Bradford’s rehab from elbow surgery is complete by the end of April, Latz could then transition into a multi-inning, high-leverage reliever, which would significantly strengthen the bullpen.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But more so, Democrats see this as rare leverage in the minority to extract policy changes.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After accepting a cross-ice pass from Ryan McDonagh, Kucherov smacked a one-timer from outside the right faceoff dot over Swayman’s glove, tying the score at 5-5.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Imagine opening your freezer and smack dab in the middle, amid the bags of frozen spaghetti sauce and bananas, is something fuzzy looking.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Director Ric Roman Waugh has a nice, gritty visual style and the fists and bullets land hard here, less stylish balletic and more thump thump.—
Mark Kennedy,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
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In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Dassault heirs hold global sway in fighter and business jets while the second-generation Saades control the world’s third largest container shipping line, CMA CGM.—
Tara Patel,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Steam whistles and dogbark enter him with the sway of the church bell.—
Chen Yuhong,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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