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
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
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
While brands wielded similar contractual clout during Covid-19 to axe mid-production orders and impose discounts on shipments already en route, today’s lack of transparency is harder to penetrate, Begum said.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 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
And the major carriers, who have more clout in Washington, would likely fight any measure that benefits the discount carriers because those airlines put pressure on their own fares.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
While brands wielded similar contractual clout during Covid-19 to axe mid-production orders and impose discounts on shipments already en route, today’s lack of transparency is harder to penetrate, Begum said.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 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
-
Shortly after the five-year anniversary of the killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo by a Chicago police officer, the case was poised to move to a high-profile weekslong trial when a Cook County judge dealt a blow to the Toledo family’s case.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Helping cushion the blow of the supply shock, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have used alternative export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Foreign adversaries such as the CCP use a wide range of tools to project influence inside the United States, from academic partnerships and intellectual property theft to land acquisition, supply chain leverage and political lobbying.—
Joe Gebbia Sr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Seoul High Court said that a first lady, being closest to a president, represents the country together with her husband and has a big influence on him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons punched back with a 20-5 run as the Magic at one point missed 13 straight shots from the floor.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
John Carlson let fly with a slap shot that hit Poehling and trickled into the net for his fourth playoff goal.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
Guentzel fired a slap shot between Dobes’ legs on another 2-on-1 breakaway to tie it at 2 late in the second.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Current and former Google employees tell Fortune the leverage that once allowed technology workers to influence significant sway over the company’s policies has eroded.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
-
Her defeat is likely to weaken her leverage within an opposition bloc already divided by regional rivalries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The Met Gala lands smack in the middle of that window, on Monday, May 4 — its traditional first-Monday-in-May slot.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the bills didn’t have support from law enforcement, which wields significant sway in the Capitol.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
No judges, no editorial sway, just the crowd’s consensus.—
Wendy Naugle,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
