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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of clout
CBS News, 20 Feb. 2025
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
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
Walmart has flourished in that environment, using its clout to keep prices down.
—CBS News, 20 Feb. 2025
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
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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The film stars the gifted André Holland as a theater performer who becomes an amnesiac after suffering a violent blow to the head.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
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The loss was a big blow for the Kings, who played well without two starters but ultimately squandered an opportunity to move ahead of the Clippers for seventh in the Western Conference playoff race.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The longer the conflict continues in its current trajectory, the more influence and land Russia will be able to amass from the overwhelmed Ukrainian military.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
18 Mar. 2025
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Critics of the Trump administration say its efforts to nullify the agency will cripple American influence overseas and carry devastating effects for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, which relied on U.S. funding for health care, food, and other basic needs.—
Lucien Bruggeman,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The trio screamed as the team made it through, with the royal grabbing van Cutsem's face at one point, and punching the air.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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Augustin is alleged to have then continued his aggression, punching and kicking the seat and the passenger in front of him.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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He should have been gone after the Poole punch, or if not that, the Gobert chokehold, the Nurkic slap, or any and all of the above.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
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Scott delivered a harsh open-handed slap to Rhodes’ ear while The Rock joined in to whip the champ with his belt.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Democrats saw the pending shutdown as a point of leverage against President Donald Trump and Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Schumer, by opting against the filibuster that serves as the Democrats’ single greatest instrument of leverage, declined to force GOP leaders to take that step.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These Cavs maybe aren’t popping champagne for smacking around the New York Knicks, or the Magic, or most of their opponents.—
Joe Vardon,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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The only person who could get away with smacking a cigarette out of Dominek's hand was Clara, David said.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA TODAY,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But there’s thump, there’s just an understanding of situations, ability to use the whole field.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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Alonso slots back into the Mets lineup and fits perfectly behind new teammate Juan Soto, providing exactly the kind of right-handed thump the Mets were lacking.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Hosted by the Ekman Group and organized jointly with the Swedish Fashion Council, CTF works to underline the sway of stakeholder synergies within the industry.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Mar. 2025
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These figures seem to hold extraordinary sway over the President, who may see, in their taste for drawing theories of the universe from the growth of their own enterprises, a reflection of himself.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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