Thesaurus results for CUDGELS

cudgels 1 of 2

noun

plural of cudgel

as in batons

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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cudgels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cudgel

as in chops

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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 cudgels

Noun

When words lose their original meanings and are repurposed as verbal cudgels, the public sphere becomes a jungle of denunciation, intimidation, and even violence. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 While the conservative pushback and Trump’s cudgels are encouraging some companies to abandon formal DEI policies, analysts say an emphasis on diversity continues and is quietly evolving beneath the surface. — William Becker, The Hill, 11 Aug. 2025 Major events, like football games, are often used as cudgels to force a deal, with both the distributor and broadcaster eager to ensure the events are available to subscribers. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cudgels

Noun

Police responded with tear gas and smoke bombs, batons and shields.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
The Unbadged invited people to submit videos of personnel who used batons and tear gas against protestors without wearing a name badge, which police are legally required to wear.

— Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of batons

Verb

If Tesla chops between roughly 330 and 425 into that Friday, the short options expire and the remaining December call is carried at a lower basis.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
The proposal chops $150 million from the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which battled against the largest budget cut in last year's negotiations.

— JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of chops

Noun

This is because fruit development consumes much of the vine’s energy, so removing the fruit at this point allows the vine’s energy to continue to develop a strong cordon, canes (vertical shoots), and root system.

— The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of canes

Verb

With runners on the corners, Martinez whacks a two-run, RBI double to tie it at five.

— Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Then little Holly Wheeler and her 10-year-old friends, including the Season 5 favorite Derek (Jake Connelly), all swarm into the basement and take over the D&D table in a passing of the torch that basically whacks the audience over our collective heads.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025

Definition of whacks

Verb

Pack in a picnic lunch from Ventura’s Harbor Cove Cafe, which boxes up sandwiches and snacks for visitors to the Channel Islands.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Sometimes the pursuit of a cleaner interface boxes you into one that will not grow with the feature pathways that emerge.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026