Thesaurus results for SHILLELAGH

shillelagh

noun

shə-ˈlā-lē

variants also shillalah

Definition of shillelagh

as in cane

a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment the bartender in the Irish pub keeps a shillelagh behind the bar just in case there's trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 shillelagh The Dogs walked out and David Finlay wrecked the door with the shillelagh. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2026 McDonagh had some help from Finn Balor, who hit Sheamus with a shillelagh when the referee was distracted. — Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025 Kelly professionalized a program that kept tripping over its own shillelagh. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025 Maier, who was heading out of town that weekend for a meeting of the National League of Cities, saw the foot-long shillelagh and, according to a Milwaukee Sentinel story by Marta Bender, mistook it for a pipe. — Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025 The original shillelagh was retired with a new one introduced in 1997. — Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shillelagh

Noun

By the late 1800s, Thonet had added child-size cane seating and high chairs to its catalog.

— Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
Before he was dragged, Boahene was seen on the train car’s security cameras with a cane and a blue plastic bag, moving unsteadily toward the door after the train stopped at Utica Ave.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cane

Noun

The study team gave them wooden batons and instructions to not physically harm the prisoners, but maintain law and order.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
For days, protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police who have used batons, water cannons and tear gas in clashes in the city center.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of baton

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shill

shillelagh

shillelaghs

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“Shillelagh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shillelagh. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shillelagh

noun

Example Sentences

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