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
ABC News,
13 June 2026
The player is, though, and the new manager has clout.
—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
12 June 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
China’s clout impacts all G7 countries, in myriad ways.
—
ABC News,
13 June 2026
The player is, though, and the new manager has clout.
—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
12 June 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
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Emotionally, militarily, even symbolically, this is a devastating blow to the Black Queen and her cause.
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When Lucerys refuses, Aemond chases Lucerys on his dragon, seemingly meaning to injure him rather than kill him, but his dragon, Vhagar, delivers a fatal blow to Rhaenyra’s son.
Noun
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Conservative critics seized upon those allegations, accusing Hosseini of exerting outsized influence over UF’s presidential search process and questioning whether trustees had exercised independent judgment in selecting Bell.
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The democratic socialist mayor expanded his influence over the Democratic Party, going three for three in congressional primaries.
Verb
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Algeria turned up the pressure in the second half and had multiple shots on goal that Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila punched away, but a corner kick in the 69th minute proved to be the Jordanian keeper’s kryptonite.
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At least in comparison to Gragson being punched by Ross Chastain at the Kansas Speedway three years ago.
Noun
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Deidre Hall delivered her most shocking slap yet on live TV on June 19.
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Only a few minutes earlier, Abulaila endured an inadvertent slap to his throat by Arnautovic on a pass into the box.
Noun
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Iran is using their ties to the United States as leverage along with control of the Strait of Hormuz.
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The president said that Iran was not in a position to wield such leverage and accused the press of lending Tehran favorable coverage throughout the conflict.
Verb
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Kara and Ruthye figure out the Brigands are trafficking young women for dastardly purposes, giving them yet another reason to smack some dudes around.
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Schwarber was able to work a walk, and then Derek Hill, another pinch hitter, came up and smacked a home run that gave Philadelphia the lead in a win over the Nationals.
Noun
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Not long after, Jamison’s parents reported hearing a loud thump, as though someone had fallen, according to prosecutors.
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While playing Pragmata, the thump of approaching robots had solid directionality, and the weapon blasts had a good amount of low-end force.
Noun
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The rhythm section is downright molten, an understated, earthy sway beneath Davis’ soaring melodies.
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Movement through this passage promotes concerns that the Persian Gulf Strait Authority still holds sway in the movement of vessels throughout the strait.
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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