bludgeon 1 of 2

noun

ˈblə-jən How to pronounce bludgeon (audio)
Definition of bludgeonnext
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound

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bludgeon

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bludgeon
Noun
But Beshear hasn’t turned Trump-bashing into a 24/7 vocation, or a weight-lifting contest where the winner is the critic wielding the heaviest bludgeon. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026 With the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other instruments of force as his bludgeon, Khamenei has chosen bloodshed over conciliation. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
For nearly eight years, the Ukrainian army—with the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion at the vanguard—tried to bludgeon the uprising into submission. — Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026 But the biggest beef to be had is in Sarnoski’s insistence to bludgeon us with pulverizing violence, which grows tiresome and repetitive in the carnage-spewing initial 30 minutes. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
  1. cane
  2. slap
  3. lick
  4. baton
  5. hit
  6. pound
  7. cudgel
  8. smack
Noun
  • Aceh’s Sharia court ordered the two people to be whipped with a rattan cane 21 times each for kissing without being married.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Snappers, snakes, toy pistols with caps and toy canes with caps are the only fireworks allowed.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • Some of them slapped strict limits on all gas stations; in others, gas station chains limited how much fuel could be bought.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Actor Orlando Brown slapped recording artist Ray J in the face with a wad of cash.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • In the end, none of them were fit to lick the boots of Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800.
    — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • But the Carolinas have their own ways of making barbecue finger-licking.
    — Amethyst Ganaway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of lick
Noun
  • The officers hit him with a baton and shocked him seven times.
    — Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
  • Somebody had dropped the baton.
    — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of baton
Verb
  • Against Cardinals’ starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore, the Braves mustered just one hit and one run through five innings of an eventual 5-3 loss.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Thomas had hit a leadoff double, but Michael Massey, Salvador Perez and John Rave failed to drive him in.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • The heart-pounding encounter ended with the calf reunited with its mother, dramatic photos on a cellphone — and the couple continuing on to catch brook trout.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Dansby Swanson hit three home runs, including a grand slam, Michael Conforto homered twice and the Chicago Cubs pounded the San Diego Padres 23-3 on Wednesday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of pound
Noun
  • The sports question has become a political cudgel for Republicans with an eye on growing divisions among Democrats over stances on certain transgender issues that polls show are unpopular with a majority of voters.
    — Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
  • The measure’s main backer is the SEIU United Health Workers West, whose president, Dave Regan, has a long track record of using ballot measures as a cudgel to win concessions from labor adversaries.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of cudgel
Verb
  • Moniak smacked a 424-foot homer to right-center with one down in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Kara and Ruthye figure out the Brigands are trafficking young women for dastardly purposes, giving them yet another reason to smack some dudes around.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of smack

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Cite this Entry

“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bludgeon

Nglish: Translation of bludgeon for Spanish Speakers

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