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cudgel 1 of 2

noun

ˈkə-jəl How to pronounce cudgel (audio)
Definition of cudgelnext
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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cudgel

2 of 2

verb

as in to bludgeon

Related 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 cudgel
Noun
The sports question has become a political cudgel for Republicans with an eye on growing divisions among Democrats over stances on certain transgender issues that polls show are unpopular with a majority of voters. — Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026 The measure’s main backer is the SEIU United Health Workers West, whose president, Dave Regan, has a long track record of using ballot measures as a cudgel to win concessions from labor adversaries. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
Bruce Springsteen was standing up to the president, while universities and law firms were being cudgeled and cowed. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for cudgel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cudgel
  1. cane
  2. bludgeon
  3. baton
  4. clout
  5. assail
  6. chop
  7. smack
  8. whack
Noun
  • Choose 3-6 strong, healthy, outside canes per plant to keep and leave 3-5 buds on each cane.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Brazil’s ethanol pivot and India’s sugar imports Higher energy prices are also making ethanol more attractive relative to sugar in Brazil, where mills can shift cane between the two products.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • His connection with his head coach continues to grow, and a coach who loves to bludgeon an opponent with the run game got to do so to kick off the season.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout, the reader is bludgeoned with reminders of the war’s significance, and in the service of this aim Harding also offers a curious mixture of political awareness and faux naïveté.
    — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of bludgeon
Noun
  • Wasteful shows can survive when the creator is untouchable, but once that baton has been passed, waste won’t fly.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Police responded with tear gas and smoke bombs, batons and shields.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of baton
Verb
  • Holder clouted Chameera for three sixes in four deliveries to end the 19th and leave West Indies needing six runs for victory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 June 2026
  • The 'merch hauls' on social media are awful, the desperate pathetic influencers trying to clout chase using the Masters are all awful.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of clout
Verb
  • Kalshi and Polymarket, which have been assailed by critics for encouraging financial risk taking by making betting more accessible, are now using the promise of free groceries to win over New Yorkers.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • And yet 20 years ago, the haka’s future was in doubt — assailed by protests from rival teams that New Zealand gained an unfair advantage from performing it as the final action before kick-off in a Test match.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of assail
Verb
  • Santoku knives are great for a large variety of tasks, and are often prized for their daily use for things like slicing cheese, cutting an apple, breaking down an onion, or chopping herbs.
    — Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Rock is not grinding axes so much as swinging them wildly, trying to chop and wound as many targets as possible.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • Dangbei rates it at 3,100 ISO lumens, which puts it pretty smack dab in the middle of projectors in this price range (MSRP is $1,999).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026
  • That stretch started with the doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers earlier this month, when Bazzana smacked a tying homer and a walk-off single in the nightcap.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of smack
Verb
  • There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Miami Dolphins rookie had shed his block and began pursuing Jameis Winston, reaching the New York Giants’ backup quarterback in time to whack him good with a legal hit.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of whack

Phrases Containing cudgel

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cuddy
cudgel
cudgeled
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Cite this Entry

“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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