1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the stubborn handle a solid clout to make it turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
has a great deal of clout in the film industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to punch
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
clouted the nail with the hammer and drove it all the way into the wood
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of clout
Dylan Scott, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024
Though Newsom built political clout as a key resistance leader during Trump’s first term, the governor is now trying to put some distance between himself and the resistance brand.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The home run derby title went to St. Augustine senior first baseman M.J. Sweeney, who clouted six home runs in the first round and seven more in the final round to out-slug Madison senior outfielder Jake Jackson, who had six home runs in the first round but only three in the final.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for clout 
Noun
The passage of the No Surprises Act, which targeted hospital billing, was a sign of their political clout softening.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024
Though Newsom built political clout as a key resistance leader during Trump’s first term, the governor is now trying to put some distance between himself and the resistance brand.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
Rapinoe, her replacement, clouted her kick well above the bar.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The home run derby title went to St. Augustine senior first baseman M.J. Sweeney, who clouted six home runs in the first round and seven more in the final round to out-slug Madison senior outfielder Jake Jackson, who had six home runs in the first round but only three in the final.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for clout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clout
Noun
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Likewise, a surprise 25 basis point rate cut by the BOK at its November meeting, enacted before Yoon declared martial law in December, could have cushioned the blow.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
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As such, this will likely be a blow because the country accounted for 50% of global oil demand growth between 2000 and 2023, averaging an annual increase of 518,000 bpd, according to the Energy Institute's 2024 Statistical Review of World Energy.Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And, if 2024 was any indication, their influence on the broad market is only trending upward.Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 5 Jan. 2025
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Island Kitchen This all-day dining venue overlooks the pool and serves international cuisine with Western, Chinese, Indian and Maldivian influences.Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But there are plenty of non-moderates who punched significantly above their weight too, such as Reps. Grace Meng, Rob Menendez, Chuy García, Juan Vargas and Sylvia Garcia.Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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The Anker Soundcore Motion 300, now 30% off, is a budget-friendly speaker that punches way above its size with booming sound and waterproof durability.Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The verbal glove slap unleashed a back-and-forth war of words via diss track, which, in retrospect, was never going to go Drake's way – Lamar, after all, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist.Rebecca Messina, The Week UK, theweek, 30 Dec. 2024
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In one breath, people acknowledged the social faux pas of the slap while simultaneously defending why resorting to violence in this case was understandable.Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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These tariffs could target industries critical to China's economy, such as technology, manufacturing, and rare earth minerals, aiming to weaken China's economic leverage.John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
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The two beetles face off in battle, until the first manages to get enough leverage to toss his romantic rival off the stump in a deft display of insect jujitsu.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Reality has a way of smacking you hard in the face.Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
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What hits on TikTok is a legible, irresistible hook — or, in other words, the kind of content that smacks you in the face with its obviousness.Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Families fall asleep to the thump of nearby airstrikes and the constant whine of an Israeli drone overhead.Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
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The Vigor has flat seams and enough stretch to move comfortably while bending over or reaching up, while thump loops make for easy layering on frigid days.Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Concepts of drag comedy and nonbinary people held a different sort of weight, and the cross-dressing escapades in the movie, as two hapless male musicians flee the mob by donning dresses and joining an all-women band, didn’t hold the same sort of comedic sway.Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025
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In space, a previous gentleman’s agreement on warfare no longer holds sway, while there is a constant fight for one-upmanship in the Arctic and in the race to dominate critical minerals.Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near clout
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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