CLOUT Synonyms: 200 Similar and Opposite Words

clout 1 of 2

noun

ˈklau̇t

Definition of clout

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

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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clout

Noun

But the true test of Turning Point Action’s clout was unfolding inside the exhibition center, where staff members were registering voters, handing out buttons and signing people up for social events. — Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 But the true test of Turning Point Action's clout was unfolding inside the exhibition center, where staff members were registering voters, handing out buttons and signing people up for social events. — ABC News, 5 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 See All Example Sentences for clout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clout

Noun

There have been plenty of in-game rotations, promising combinations, fluidity and creativity, but without the delivery of a final hammer blow.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The residents had sustained another blow when my friend, John Ahern, was a passenger on Pan Am Flight 103 that exploded on December 21, 1988 from a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Club sources, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, say his influence has grown in the aftermath of those departures.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Sandusky’s trial produced shocking testimony from other victims The shadow of Penn State’s influence in this borough in the center of the commonwealth continues to hang over the case.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

One 49ers linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, held up Rams tight end Tyler Higbee after a short reception early in the fourth quarter, allowing the other, Fred Warner, to swoop in and punch the ball loose.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The nonprofit thrift store in Homer Glen has been about six years in the making and opened its doors Thursday as cars parked in a nearby overflow lot and customers enjoyed punch and cookies while browsing through the displays.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of punch

Verb

Ultimately, they were shouted down, most notably by the men who’d be told to don helmets and shoulder pads and smack one another into submission.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Suddenly a fan favorite in New York again, Volpe smacked a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs during his rousing return from Triple-A as the Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies 10-3 on Thursday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of smack

Noun

If those ground tests show the jet’s acoustic thump is soft enough for suburban skies, NASA plans to fly the X-59 over several US communities to gather public feedback.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
Their pitching is good, Griffin Jax could return soon, and Liam Hicks has added some thump to a lineup previously built around three really good hitters (Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda) and a bunch of do-your-job role players.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of thump

Noun

Defense officials, meanwhile, fret that a party seen as favorable to the Kremlin could have greater sway in a country that is fast rearming and is the largest single donor to Ukraine.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
The 74-year-old singer-songwriter is in visibly great shape, keeping up with the agility of his dancer-musician companions at every step, every sway and every sudden crouch.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sway

Browse Nearby Words

cloudy

clout

clouted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clout

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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