as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
a farmer armed with a cudgel drove us off his land
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as in to bludgeon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of cudgel
Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2024
The decision is also a political cudgel for Kari Lake, Gallego’s Republican opponent, who has trashed him for weeks over a divorce that began shortly before Kate Gallego gave birth to their son.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
Timothy Ryback, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Before long, fairs had such attractions as cudgelling bouts, bearbaiting, and something called gouging.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for cudgel 
Noun
Russia, too, has used immigration as a cudgel in its propaganda in Europe, amplifying incidents and protests, including the recent unrest in Britain, through its state media and covert bot networks.
—Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2024
The decision is also a political cudgel for Kari Lake, Gallego’s Republican opponent, who has trashed him for weeks over a divorce that began shortly before Kate Gallego gave birth to their son.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
Hitler exploited his 37% to gridlock legislative processes, to cudgel or crush the political opposition, and ultimately to undermine the country’s democratic structures.
—Timothy Ryback, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Before long, fairs had such attractions as cudgelling bouts, bearbaiting, and something called gouging.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for cudgel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cudgel
Noun
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The unhinged duo struck Valez with their fists and a cane before the male attacker brought Luna into the room, accused him of stealing a moped battery and beat him to death, Kenny said.Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Dec. 2024
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In mid-November, prune the rose to remove dead and diseased canes.Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Can the Chiefs similarly start bludgeoning teams as the season winds down? Perhaps.Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
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When texts are fed through the AI-summarization machine, each distinct voice is bludgeoned into monotony.Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Indy can pick up pretty much anything from broomsticks to batons to protect himself and can engage in a relatively complex version of POV fisticuffs that allows players to block, parry, and punch with either hand.Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
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After more than two minutes, Officer Laxman Acharya, also with the Fourth Division, arrived and attempted to use an expandable baton to gain leverage over one of Thompson's arms.Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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President-elect Donald Trump’s appointees to run the nation’s health agencies have been assailed by Democratic lawmakers for their embrace of unproven medical theories, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism.Bloomberg, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
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During his first term, Trump regularly assailed Hunter Biden, and numerous leading Republicans, including his nominees to lead the Justice Department, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, had labeled him a criminal long before the gun and tax convictions.Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Here are a few popular rich holiday foods and some healthier alternatives to try instead: Sugary desserts like pies, cakes, and cookies: Try swapping these for fruit salad, a yogurt parfait with low-sugar granola and chopped fresh fruit, or desserts made with a no-calorie sweetener.Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Dec. 2024
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Place chopped pecans on a baking sheet, and roast in preheated oven until nutty and fragrant, about 8 minutes.Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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With the score sitting at 14-10, Crabb smacked the ball at Banesh who parried it, his touch giving Partain the option to pass it back to his teammate.Aaron Heisen, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
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Nobody will mind if they get smacked in the head by a selfie stick, or buzzed by a drone.Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
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With all protective layers working, Norton whacked every ransomware sample.PCMAG, PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
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Supporters argue that the bonds are necessary because the state recently whacked about $10 billion in spending on environmental programs.Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cudgel
Cite this Entry
“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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