1
dialectal, chiefly British
: a piece of cloth or leather : rag
2
: a blow especially with the hand
When she was naughty, she would get a clout from her mother.
also
: a hard hit in baseball
3
: a white cloth on a stake or frame used as a target in archery
clouted; clouting; clouts
1
: to cover or patch with a clout
clouted his worn-out shoe with a piece of leather
2
: to hit forcefully
He clouted 19 home runs last year.
He clouted him on the back of the head.
Did you know?
Slang Meaning of Clout
The slang sense of clout refers to attention, fame, popularity, and sometimes notoriety, especially the kind one may achieve on social media, whether by posting a controversial hot take or performing a stunt on video in the hope that it goes viral. Learn more >
Examples of clout in a Sentence
Noun
She used her political clout to have another school built.
gave the stubborn handle a solid clout to make it turn
Verb
He clouted 19 home runs last year.
He'll clout me around the head if he finds out what I've done.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
While losing a massive tower like City Center would take away some of the skyline's clout, the brutalist design is considered by some to be the ugliest in downtown.
—Nick Halter, Axios, 23 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for clout
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Saudi Arabia: By hosting high-stakes talks over Ukraine and Gaza, the kingdom offers more proof of its regional clout and warm relations with Trump.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
While losing a massive tower like City Center would take away some of the skyline's clout, the brutalist design is considered by some to be the ugliest in downtown.
—Nick Halter, Axios, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for clout
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clout. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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