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

Meanwhile, the financial clout of the industry has grown considerably, resulting in a new, more dangerous problem. — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Petrobras and large construction firms were building Brazil’s regional clout through development; the scandals of the 2010s undercut their influence. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 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

For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Then, after weeks of sit-ins and marches, Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister, stepped down, a rare blow to Modi’s government, and one that more established opposition parties had been unable to land.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Wall Street’s role in financing the AI boom and data centers, a contentious election issue, as well as its influence on housing and other affordability challenges, is also likely to draw scrutiny, said attorneys and analysts.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
The Mexican pop icon will receive the accolade in recognition of an exceptional career spanning over three decades and his enduring influence on Latin music.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension for punching a Buffalo Bills player after a game has been reduced from two games to one, an NFL spokesman said Wednesday.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
For Lee, the true measure of a man is how many other men, and women, want to punch his lights out.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of punch

Noun

The Wild, who have played all season without first-pair defenseman Brock Faber due to a skull fracture, lost forward Nico Sturm in the first period when he was hit on the side of the head by teammate Jared Spurgeon's slap shot.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
But, with seconds left on the clock, Patel wanted to get in one last slap shot.

— Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of slap

Noun

The more balanced market gives home shoppers potentially more leverage in negotiating better terms with sellers, especially if a property has not fetched offers in weeks or months.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Leveraged basis trades have partly unwound without notable pressure in the short-term loan market but the leverage that remains is a concern.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

Eventually, Bird’s film — with a script co-written by Matthew Robbins — gets to the meat of the action when Venus’ extremely complicated life runs smack into Ray and his knack for sniffing out bad guys.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
The Eagles also have been smacked with injuries and played without several key starters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of smack

Noun

Blurred boundaries Measuring global functional connectivity—how much influence each patch of cortex exerts over the rest—the team found that, when participants had their eyes closed, sensory regions lost sway while associative regions gained.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
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

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 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clout

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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