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 as the AfD gains clout through regional elections, the debate within the CDU over exactly how impermeable that firewall should be is also intensifying. — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 Underlying the discussions were concerns by some local leaders about the suburbs losing clout to Chicago and Cook County with the new NITA structure. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 17 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

Meanwhile, Merz's power inside Germany has taken a blow after a string of state election defeats last month, including losses to the anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
The community suffered another blow the following month with the death of Sandy Steers, the executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit behind the livestream.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

The traditional Pueblo architecture has touches of Native American and Western influences, along with European and Mexican motifs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Scotlandville will no longer be represented by a native son, someone who people believed instinctively understood their challenges and offered a direct line to power and influence in the nation’s capital.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

The fight was so violent that each one of them punched, scratched, bit and slapped the other, Linhardt said.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper university in São Paulo, said candidates like Tiririca punch above their weight because of Brazil’s proportional representation system.

— Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of punch

Noun

The baby Fins were back to Earth, sweet mirage yielding to the slap of reality.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Hundreds of those grants were later reinstated when a federal judge ruled that the slap-dash nature of the terminations violated the Administrative Procedures Act, which regulates how agencies are supposed to change policies.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of slap

Noun

Instead, the authors argue public money could have more leverage by underwriting risks that commercial markets currently will not.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Analysts see improving execution and believe P & G is on track to exit this fiscal year at a healthy enough top-line growth rate to deliver operating leverage and help profits.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of leverage

Noun

The brutalist thump of drummer Moe Tucker renders the showmen in Led Zeppelin and the Who irrelevant.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
The Giants lineup even lacked Rafael Devers’ considerable thump for the first time since the Giants traded for him last summer.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of thump

Noun

The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
As Béatrice’s amateur detective work pulls her in deeper, the strands begin to suggest a conspiracy, one marked by mysterious disappearances and the clandestine sway of the Vatican.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of sway

Browse Nearby Words

cloudy

clout

clouted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clout

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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