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
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as in to bludgeon
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cudgel
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Longer term, researchers fear the Trump Administration will use federal research funding as a cudgel to force universities and other institutions that receive it in its purge of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
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
In other words, marketers who want to take advantage of the big playoff ratings are generally required to purchase regular-season inventory, although that’s not to say that the premium units are deployed as a cudgel to move the more quotidian spots.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
Longer term, researchers fear the Trump Administration will use federal research funding as a cudgel to force universities and other institutions that receive it in its purge of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
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
-
Carrying a wooden cane, Camus led Yarvin through the small town of Plieux.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
-
The look was elevated with a matching fur stole and a cane, accessories that nodded to the opulence of Black Dandyism.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Essence,
8 May 2025
Verb
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While the parallels drawn (sometimes by the artist himself) between him and 2Pac are usually semiotic, here Wayne channels what is perhaps Pac’s signature skill: his capacity to bludgeon his way through a heavy beat while retaining the dynamism and bend in his voice.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
-
Kate would have the family’s victims sit with their backs to a canvas curtain, according to the Reflector, while another family member hid and would bludgeon the victim over the head with a hammer.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
When funding for these circulars came to an end, Fred picked up the eclipse baton and with the help of Canadian meteorologist Jay Anderson, produced their own eclipse circulars, funded under the auspices of NASA.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
3 June 2025
-
YoungBoy takes the baton and aims at his detractors.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Kerry Carpenter clouted a key home run for the Detroit Tigers and Cole Ragans has pitched two terrific games for the Kansas City Royals among younger players stepping up.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes,
9 Oct. 2024
-
Not since the former Yankee slugger clouted three home runs in a World Series game against the Dodgers in 1977 has Jackson done more with a pitch in the strike zone.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2024
Verb
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Many independent observers have assailed the exercise as a triumph of politics over justice — and a potentially fatal blow for the separation of powers, a crucial pillar of democratic rule.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
-
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has set the tone by assailing his former colleague Jennifer Griffin (Fox’s national security correspondent) and other journalists.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
In its purest version, the egg whites and yokes are sieved or finely chopped separately.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
-
While the peppers are roasting, chop the chorizo into ¼-inch pieces and measure out 1½ cups; then set aside.—
Randy Graham,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
Verb
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With two outs and a runner on in the fourth, Tyler Fitzgerald smacked a fastball from Cabrera to left field.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2025
-
Crawford got ahold of an Alcala fastball, sending it off the scoreboard ribbon in right field and erasing a lead that the Twins had been protecting since the second inning when Wallner, in his first major league at-bat since April 15, smacked a two-run home run.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Her response was always to whack him with her purse.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
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Shohei Ohtani retook sole possession of the major league lead in long balls by whacking his 17th of the season.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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