as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
guards armed with bludgeons roamed the compound
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of bludgeon
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024
Pesticides can be valuable tools when used as scalpels, but when they are used as bludgeons, the evolution of resistance often undoes their efficacy.
—Frances Beinecke, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2012
Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies shot 55 percent and bludgeoned Miami, scoring 72 points in the paint, the most permitted by the Heat this season and the most since allowing 76 points in the paint in a game in 2008.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bludgeon
Noun
Conservatives have had it in for Chevron deference for a long time; given their current majority on the court, the doctrine’s death has been a foregone conclusion, awaiting only the appearance of a suitable case to use as a bludgeon.
—Verb
At 6ft 4in (193cm) with a solid frame, the Norway international has the appearance of a battering-ram centre forward who bullies centre-backs and bludgeons his way to goal.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeon
Noun
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Designers are treating them as conversation pieces to bring more texture, proportion, and detail into a room—we’re seeing bold silhouettes, statement-making legs, faceted fronts that play with light and shadow, and materials ranging from earthy mango wood to coastal cane.—
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Elaborate breads are baked into the shapes of carpenter’s tools, ladders, and canes, which symbolize Joseph’s staff, while bread crumbs are scattered to represent sawdust.—
Verb
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That proved a terrible bet for the Ukrainians, since the likelihood of Putin entering peace talks when tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were occupying a piece of Mother Russia was about as low as the S&P 500 doubling in value after Trump slapped tariffs on everybody.—
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The conversation between the Beijing administration and the EU chief takes place after Washington last Wednesday slapped China and the EU with reciprocal tariffs of 34% and 20%, respectively.—
Verb
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The race is being widely viewed as a must-win for Democrats who at the national level are still licking their 2024 election wounds, as well as a potential referendum on Trump and Musk.—
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Cora appears to enjoy the routine and happily lets the cat lick at the tufts of blonde hair on her head.—
Noun
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Continue reading … 'JUST IN DISBELIEF' – High school track star bashed in head by opponent with baton.—
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The teen’s perspective comes five days after the 4×200 meter relay at a state indoor championship at Liberty University, during which Everett was seen striking her opponent, Kaelen Tucker, with a baton, according to local news outlet WSLS 10.—
Verb
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According to arrest warrant affidavits obtained by the Star-Telegram, Price told investigators that her 8-year-old son reported being hit by Bean.—
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Meanwhile, a massive blaze at an oil depot in the Krasnodar region has continued to rage since it was hit by a Ukrainian drone attack late Wednesday.—
Verb
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All that — that’s what came turning around the corner late Sunday afternoon, striding through a tunnel of fans off Augusta’s 18th green, walking without a shadow despite a shallow sun; arms extended, eyes welling, chest pounding.—
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Deadly flooding in the South and Midwest The mother of a 9-year-old boy is speaking out after he was swept away and killed by floodwaters in Kentucky during the four days of historic storms that pounded the region.—
Noun
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Asked about the Trump regime’s use of funding as a cudgel Friday, Hochul brushed it off.—
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Impeachment must be reserved for cases involving serious misconduct or corruption, not trotted out as a cudgel to threaten federal jurists for doing their jobs.—
Verb
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Pennsylvania’s drift to the right was the fourth largest of the seven, smack in the middle.—
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Still, the Yankees managed to make things interesting in the ninth inning, as Volpe smacked a three-run homer off Arizona lefty A.J. Puk to cut the deficit to one.—
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeon. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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