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 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 Judges, attorneys, guardians and other court professionals have repeatedly used custody as a cudgel, according to some family court attorneys and advocates, punishing parents for their conduct by limiting their access to their children. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 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
  • After the end of sugar, the old plantations had begun leasing their fallow cane lands to Big Ag companies, such as Dow, Pioneer, and Brun’s Syngenta, which took advantage of lax regulations to conduct experimental GMO and pesticide testing.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Victim 2, who is a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue employee according to the New York Times, was repeatedly struck with canes and paddles and bled through his underwear and pants because of lacerations to his buttocks, according to the warrant.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • Back inside the ring, Brock Lesnar defended himself with a steel step, bludgeoning Oba Femi three times.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • By bludgeoning the Texas Rangers, 11-2, the Astros secured the regular-season series over their intrastate rival and own the tiebreaker.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bludgeon
Noun
  • In one of the incidents, the Chinese coast guard allegedly wounded a Philippine sailor by striking him in the head with a baton, according to the Philippine military.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The police attacked them with batons, tear gas, and pellet guns.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 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
  • Trump has personally assailed justices who rule against him in stark terms.
    — Gene Johnson, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • Even the urologist’s office has athletic jerseys hanging in the treatment room so that men’s masculinity will not be assailed.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Definition of assail
Verb
  • Amid the rumblings of construction at nearby David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the sound of a shrill whistle and chopping feet at the nearby Murfin Family Practice Fields signaled one thing.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The sound of someone chopping vegetables came loudly from the kitchen.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • But a 92 mph sinker got Lewis to smack a ball straight to Isaac Collins in left field to end the inning.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Wood stayed in the game for a lengthy bottom of the seventh, during which Phillies outfielder Derek Hill smacked a go-ahead grand slam to stir the crowd at Citizens Bank Park.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of smack
Verb
  • Poor guy is probably just trying to watch the home run derby in peace and just got drive by whacked by me.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026
  • The actions to date are little more than whack-a-mole exercises as the operators simply replace their botnets with new ones.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of cudgel for Spanish Speakers

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