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
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
Both have strengths, knowledge and clout to bring more to the space.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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
Taiwan is positioning itself as a major player in the global animation market, unveiling two anthology projects at this year’s Busan Asian Contents & Film Market that showcase the island’s growing creative clout and international aspirations.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
Both have strengths, knowledge and clout to bring more to the space.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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
-
Yes, the Seahawks entered the game short-handed in the secondary, then suffered another blow when cornerback Riq Woolen suffered a concussion in the third quarter.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Business is booming, but President Chris Kohnle worries the 80-year-old, family-run establishment could soon take a blow.—
Miranda Dunlap,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The questions remain, however, as to the extent of such interest rate cuts amid more political influence.—
Nick Thomas,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
-
China is turning climate action into industrial advantage, financial leverage, and geopolitical influence.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bubba purposefully knocks a girl down with a dodgeball, and when Mary tells him to stop being mean, Bubba punches her.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
While they were lined up, members put on boxing gloves and took turns punching the pledges four times in the chest, according to the petition.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
A couple of good back slaps and thumps from the adoring crowd.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Karl turned on the headlights and got the windshield wipers going at a mad slap.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But amid the chaos of the postseason, no one really cares about the soundness of your logic in using an opener, pitching to this hitter with first base open or going to that reliever in a high-leverage situation.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The armed group controls tens of thousands of acres of coca plantations and has gained significant political leverage as President Gustavo Petro’s Administration scrambles to secure agreements with armed groups critical to advancing Colombia’s broader peace talks and anti-narcotics efforts.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The baby used her tail to smack the bird before taking it underwater, resurfacing to show boaters the bird had been skinned, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The flintlock coughed a lot of smoke, but Zutterman heard the 270-grain roundball smack the buck.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The dramatic thump of the ship’s four electromagnetic catapults which shoot them into the sky is constant and can be heard throughout the ship.—
Matthew Bodner,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Red Sox are in a good spot for their future, but their lineup clearly needs more thump.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Past patterns suggest that when a president’s approval dips below 50 percent, their party may face setbacks in congressional contests, especially in battleground areas where independents and moderates hold sway.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Whether Hamas chooses this route will likely depend on whether its political leaders, mostly in Turkey and Qatar, hold sway over its fighters on the ground.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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