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
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
An increase in world premieres, international guests and side events, along with the relocation to the more accessible and atmospheric Hibiya-Ginza-Yurakucho districts, are helping to boost the festival’s profile and clout.
—Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 30 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
Controlling the Dodgers and the Lakers gives Walter enormous clout in sports and in Los Angeles.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
An increase in world premieres, international guests and side events, along with the relocation to the more accessible and atmospheric Hibiya-Ginza-Yurakucho districts, are helping to boost the festival’s profile and clout.
—Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 30 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
-
Green Bay's offense was dealt a massive blow last week when star tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a torn ACL against the Panthers.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Power struggles in friendships or group settings could surface, especially if money, influence or loyalty is somehow involved.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His experiences here helped forge his passion for the outdoors and conservation, spurring him to use his presidential influence to establish the United States Forest Service, 150 national forests, and five national parks.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Japan has punched above its weight on the global cultural stage for generations, but Hollywood studios have long regarded the country as one of the world’s most challenging places to shoot.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Vote of confidence Heweliusz represents a huge vote of confidence from Netflix in CEE as the streamer celebrates its decade in a region that punches above its weight and has a bustling local entertainment sector.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Greenstein and Goldberg tried — and failed — to dissuade their boss from giving Will Smith and his company Westbrook an overall deal with the studio, arguing that the Oscar-slap controversy and a dodgy box office track record would result in more headaches than hits.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
After a handful of moderate senators cut a deal with Republicans to reopen the government, Democrats from every corner ripped the group and accused them of squandering the party's leverage.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
-
At that point, if Democrats don't extract health care extensions or anything else of consequence, there will be another opportunity for leverage.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But, every once in a while, I’ll get smacked in the face by one.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The windshield repels the huddled form and the thump on the pavement sounds like a rebuke.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The two became lovers, and headed back Stateside, to Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, where the artist Josef Albers held sway.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
This would not be an America where the founding ideals hold much sway.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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