Synonyms of clout

clout 1 of 2

noun

ˈklau̇t 

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

• blow
• punch
• slap
• thump
• swipe
• stroke
• knock
• pound
• whack
• thud
• hit
• smack
• poke
• bang
• lick
• slam
• beat
• spank
• clip
• hook
• belt
• clap
• fillip
• lash
• wallop
• kick
• bat
• chop
• stripe
• switch
• crack
• hack
• swat
• rap
• slug
• box
• pelt
• cuff
• bop
• dab
• pick
• smash
• sock
• plump
• bust
• biff
• buffet
• welt
• bash
• pounding
• swing
• stinger
• thwack
• hand
• knee
• douse
• whop
• wham
• haymaker
• licking
• beating
• larrup
• counter
• left
• right
• whip
• counterstroke
• body blow
• hammering
• sucker punch
• counterblow
• counterpunch
• roundhouse
• battering
• shiver
• one-two
• thrashing
• whipping
• uppercut
• drubbing
• pummeling
• knockdown
• knockout
• rabbit punch
• sidewinder
• KO
• flogging
• pasting
• cudgeling
• cruncher
• walloping
• clobbering
• bludgeoning
• right-hander
• kayo
• lambasting
• bastinado

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

• influence
• leverage
• sway
• authority
• credit
• weight
• importance
• in
• pull
• heft
• juice
• dominance
• mastery
• impact
• predominance
• supremacy
• dominion
• eminence
• sovereignty
• impression
• impress
• reign
• moment
• counterinfluence
• command
• imprint
• consequence
• scepter
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• impotence
• helplessness
• powerlessness
• impotency

clout

2 of 2

verb

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

• punch
• slap
• smack
• knock
• hit
• bang
• slam
• strike
• clap
• whack
• clip
• pound
• swipe
• bat
• crack
• kick
• push
• box
• shove
• wallop
• hammer
• belt
• thump
• nail
• tap
• slug
• bludgeon
• clock
• tag
• clobber
• rap
• bash
• swat
• smite
• lick
• zap
• jab
• poke
• bop
• bob
• flick
• whale
• chop
• stroke
• paste
• bonk
• sock
• thwack
• bust
• stab
• bump
• slog
• biff
• pepper
• hang one on
• jostle
• rough
• stamp
• pummel
• beat
• maul
• batter
• pelt
• cuff
• lash
• butt
• mangle
• slash
• drub
• cream
• whip
• lambaste
• bung
• club
• dump
• cane
• level
• cudgel
• knee
• deck
• prod
• brain
• buffet
• lace
• floor
• sap
• pommel
• knock down
• spear
• scuff
• bean
• bowl (down or over)
• fell
• bunt
• flail
• sledge
• skull
• switch
• thrash
• conk
• flog
• sucker punch
• sledgehammer
• rabbit-punch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clout

Noun

The book shows how many Main Street millionaires have used their clout to shape public policy in their favor. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

And that was even more effective at using its financial-political clout? — John Lanchester, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 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