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
Relevance
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
And don’t let me get started on shinin the nightstick.
—
Sidik Fofana, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
There would be fire hoses and spitting dogs and police nightsticks to contend with.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 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
Some officers wielded nightsticks to force demonstrators out of the parks.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nightstick
Sidik Fofana, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
There would be fire hoses and spitting dogs and police nightsticks to contend with.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 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
Some officers wielded nightsticks to force demonstrators out of the parks.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nightstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightstick
Noun
-
As Simeon and Tupe engaged in soothing effleurage and loudly vigorous tapotement, respectively, six Maori women surrounded their tables and sang folk songs in harmony, guided by an elder in the audience with a long, gnarled cane.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Now 77, widowed, remarried and using hearing aids and a cane, Novy hasn’t seen an increase in his $1,575 monthly worker’s compensation check — nor have the other more than 300 other PTD recipients — since 2016.—
TOM KERTSCHER,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Video footage verified by CNN shows the moment an officer draws his baton amid a struggle with one demonstrator as other officers tussle with protesters on the ground.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
-
This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nightstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightstick. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share