as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
a farmer armed with a cudgel drove us off his land
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to bludgeon
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cudgel
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The actions also follow the emphasis the administration places on economic pressure and wins as a deterrent to war and a cudgel for peace.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Timothy Ryback, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Before long, fairs had such attractions as cudgelling bouts, bearbaiting, and something called gouging.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cudgel
Noun
The federal government has used Medicare funding as a cudgel to get hospitals to follow its priorities before, including as a way to force desegregation of wards in the program's early years.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
The actions also follow the emphasis the administration places on economic pressure and wins as a deterrent to war and a cudgel for peace.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Hitler exploited his 37% to gridlock legislative processes, to cudgel or crush the political opposition, and ultimately to undermine the country’s democratic structures.
—Timothy Ryback, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Before long, fairs had such attractions as cudgelling bouts, bearbaiting, and something called gouging.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cudgel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cudgel
Noun
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Coffee is also on the menu alongside fruit teas, tropical slushees and sugar cane juice.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
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For new blueberry bushes, the first few years of pruning should maintain the structure of the shrub and won't require as much pruning as older bushes since there are no old canes to remove.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The wicketkeeper/batter struggled badly through the tournament and looked shorn of confidence even while bludgeoning his way to an unconvincing 25 off 17 balls at the Wankhede Stadium.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Using a giant rock, Linda bludgeoned the local boat captain and sent both him and Zuri plunging to their deaths.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The film hands off its plot like a baton, passing from this dissatisfied shopper to a factory owner to her dead daughter-in-law (another ghost) who petitions the government for her civil rights despite being in the body of an appliance.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Edris steals a glance at a dozen or two golden batons rising at eye level.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your competition at this point in the Netflix dating show’s run will include 10 seasons’ worth of cheaters and liars, clout chasers and schmoozers and players.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2026
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Fielder clouted 95 over his two-year deal and 245 overall for Detroit until 1996.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In announcing the Pentagon’s agreement with Scouting America, the defense secretary assailed the group for welcoming transgender children but stopped short of saying they would be denied entry.—
Tara Copp,
Washington Post,
27 Feb. 2026
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Ekulona’s Julie is assailed as much by Hedda’s slights as by her indifference.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her trick is to finely chop the ginger, instead of grating it, so there are spicy-sweet nubs in each bite.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
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After months and months of being seen with super-long strands, it's suddenly chopped—in the good way.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her furious attempts to extricate herself from Ramirez ended with her smacking her head on the parking lot asphalt and Ramirez hitting her in the right eye, according to the arrest report.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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Everson’s head appeared to smack into the goal post.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If our fates were inscribed in our genetics, why would anyone bother to maintain a skin-care routine, much less go to the trouble of jamming his tongue against the top of his mouth or whacking himself with a hammer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
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Family-friendly attractions abound, from old-school carnival games like ring toss and whack-a-mole to a fun house with mirror mazes and glowing lights.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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