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
Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
For his part, Styles wore a navy Prada zip-up jacket with straight-leg jeans, Adidas Sambas sneakers (his go-to recently), and a white pair of clout goggle shades.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Mar. 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
Social clout Givens, a Democrat, has a robust social media following that helped lift her campaign as district attorney.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
For his part, Styles wore a navy Prada zip-up jacket with straight-leg jeans, Adidas Sambas sneakers (his go-to recently), and a white pair of clout goggle shades.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Mar. 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
-
Only one of the blows earned a foul, a flagrant-one on star Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Cellphone video appears to show a man, identified as suspect Roberto Sosa, receiving several blows to the head from police officers in the middle of Hallandale Beach Boulevard before being taken to the ground.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The lieutenant governor’s victory is also a win for Pritzker, with her Democratic primary serving as an early test of the governor’s national influence.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has since sought to exert his influence over the country and acting President Delcy Rodríguez.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The man briefly tumbles to the ground after attempting to punch York.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
-
In early January 2025, police were called to the Aliquippa VFW when Ours was accused of repeatedly punching and strangling another man, later identified as Preston Coleman.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Emma Peschel beat the first-period buzzer with a slap shot to make it 4-0 and Sara Swiderski sent a shot from the blue line that deflected into the goal in the third.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Martin Necas set him up in the high slot, and after faking a slap shot, MacKinnon rifled a wrister past Pittsburgh goalie Arturs Silovs.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Betts has always gotten the most out of his athleticism, making up for his small frame (he is listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds) with exceptional use of leverage in his swing and elite hand-eye coordination.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Neutralizing Kharg’s military assets helps the United States clear the Strait of Hormuz while preserving, for now, the regime’s economic artery as strategic leverage.—
Richard Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But a leadoff walk in the top of the 9th allowed Eugenio Suárez to knock in what would prove to be the winning run, smacking a double to left center field and scoring pinch runner Javier Sonoja.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
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So, each got smacked with a Stop Sale.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Ambeo Mini comes with six drivers, including two four-inch woofers that push bass down to 43Hz, creating theater-quality thump without needing a separate subwoofer.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There was a sudden, loud thump, and Bernie Watermolen brought us awake with a yell that was enough to raise the dead.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The reason why Iran has such sway over fossil fuels has to do with a quirk of geology.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
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He was given immense sway in the organization, including influence over roster decisions, and endorsed a push for more size and less finesse throughout the lineup.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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