as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
remodelers bludgeoned the wall with a sledgehammer to join the two rooms
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bludgeon
Frances Beinecke, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2012
Many California syrahs can be a fruit and alcohol bludgeon to the head, but not this one.
—Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 26 Dec. 2024
The Context JonBenét Ramsey was bludgeoned and strangled to death in the basement of her family's Boulder home in 1996 and the case has gripped public attention ever since.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Noun
Pesticides can be valuable tools when used as scalpels, but when they are used as bludgeons, the evolution of resistance often undoes their efficacy.
—Frances Beinecke, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2012
Many California syrahs can be a fruit and alcohol bludgeon to the head, but not this one.
—Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
Verb
Heads are smashed against sinks, stall doors are ripped off and used to bludgeon….
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 26 Dec. 2024
The Context JonBenét Ramsey was bludgeoned and strangled to death in the basement of her family's Boulder home in 1996 and the case has gripped public attention ever since.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
Noun
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In covert gatherings across California, raw goat or cow milk is mixed with cane alcohol and sugars to make pajaretes.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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But you cane experience a bit of Turner and Constable’s London by making a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts, where both artists studied, although Turner earned the Academy’s prestigious designation of Royal Academician in 1802; Constable was elected years later in 1829.—
Catherine Sabino,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hackman slapped the man, according to an account in the Associated Press. 'Reach for the stars!' Hackman also had a prankster side.—
Rick Jervis,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
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That show, however, was overshadowed by Will Smith slapping Chris Rock in the face onstage over a joke Rock made about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Aretha started singing some deep gospel licks that — especially when heard up close — were powerful and dramatic.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2025
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The video was followed by a black-and-white photo of Hobbs licking the Moana star's face and a clip of him playfully biting his hand.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Here’s Why The GOP Is Divided Taking the baton from her father, who at 95, still comes in just about everyday, Annie and the next generation of Zabar’s are keeping the beloved mecca moving into the 21st century.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Just before the latter event, an assailant struck Kerrigan’s knee with a police baton after a practice session at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC News,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Xiaomi’s shares, which are listed in Hong Kong, hit a record high this week.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
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The 26-year-old Maleficent star was one of the first to hit the carpet, floating in a white gown that was chosen after a hands-on fitting with Burton, 51, herself.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Musk pounded his chest and raised his right arm in an angular motion while giving his speech.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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That involved Shorrock and a few others pounding posts in the ground, putting up heavy metal fencing and twisting metal ties together.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Tariffs are considered by many economists a political cudgel — sometimes used in a trade war — and not an efficient framework for international trade.—
John Towfighi,
CNN,
3 Mar. 2025
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Similarly, Tesla could face comparable pressure in the future if Beijing wants to use Musk as a cudgel to influence policy in the Trump administration.—
Linggong Kong,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Yates took his anger out on a chair, smacking the bench, the redshirt freshman guard dropping 18 points and three threes to little avail.—
Luca Evans,
Orange County Register,
15 Feb. 2025
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For the last three weeks, Democrats up and down the seniority list have been stuck playing an especially frustrating game of Whac-a-Mole: smack the outrage of the hour and then race to hit the next one, never quite leveling the field.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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