nightstick

noun

ˈnīt-ˌstik How to pronounce nightstick (audio)
Definition of nightsticknext
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment police officers fitted out with nightsticks and handcuffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nightstick Her eyes are big and sad, and her index finger touches the tip of the nightstick hanging from the policeman’s belt. — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 Also called a nightstick, the baton is essentially a club with a handle, often used for crowd control. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 June 2025 This, in turn, provoked police to wade into the crowd, beating people with nightsticks. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 June 2025 No shots were fired, but many were struck with nightsticks and rifle butts, and about 250 were arrested. — Mark Jones, The Arizona Republic, 21 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nightstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightstick
  1. cane
  2. baton
Noun
  • Procaccini is recovering from a broken leg and uses a walker or cane.
    — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • These are people who use a cane, crutches, a rollator or a wheelchair some of the time rather than all of the time.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cane
Noun
  • The Public Defender's Office said Govindbhai, without double-checking the plate numbers, walked to the driver's side door and struck the window with his baton four times, smashing the glass.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Some pushed against barricades and scuffled with police, who responded by firing tear gas rounds, using water cannon and beating them with batons, TV footage showed.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of baton

Browse Nearby Words

nightspots
nightstick
nightsticks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nightstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightstick. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nightstick

Nglish: Translation of nightstick for Spanish Speakers

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