clouts 1 of 2

noun

plural of clout
1
as in blows
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 influences
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

clouts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clout
as in slaps
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clouts
  1. blows
  2. influences
  3. slaps
  4. punches
  5. hits
  6. thumps
  7. smacks
  8. thuds
Noun
  • The eighth and final reprieve followed an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Pardons at which a State Police major, who believed Smith was innocent, nearly came to blows with Smith’s prosecutor, who was just as convinced of Smith’s guilt.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • Bickel calls then-Rangers coach John Tortorella one of his major influences.
    — Joe Smith, New York Times, 23 July 2026
  • From a narrative perspective, Hades and Hades II were major influences.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Definition of influences
Verb
  • Helmut Haller, West Germany vs England, 1966 Ray Wilson misjudges his headed clearance, Haller gathers it on the edge of the box and, just before Bobby Moore can close him down, slaps a right-footed shot into the far corner.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Definition of slaps
Noun
  • With Gable and Rusev left standing, the two went back and forth with punches.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • New York Yankees shortstop José Caballero was at the center of a tense scene on Monday night — one in which benches cleared, words were exchanged, but no punches were thrown.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of punches
Verb
  • The best seat in the house is wherever the room erupts when the ball hits the net.
    — Ali Farooqui, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
  • Milwaukee righty Logan Henderson was trying to win his fourth straight start, but did not earn a decision after allowing one run and three hits over five innings, striking out four without a walk.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of hits
Noun
  • Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
  • You’ll be thrown around in your seat, which moves in sync with the action, along with thumps in the back, splashes of water, blasts of air, smoke, and flashes of light.
    — Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
Definition of thumps
Verb
  • The boy smacks him in the mouth and then immediately starts crying.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
  • An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of smacks
Noun
  • Rapp, up on Taft Point, heard two thuds.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Likewise, the score by Tony Doogan leans too heavily on generic electronic thuds, the kind that segue into a commercial break cliffhanger and an ad for blood pressure medicine.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of thuds
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.

Browse Nearby Words

clouting
clouts
cloverleaf
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Cite this Entry

“Clouts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clouts. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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