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
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Recent Examples of cudgel
Tim Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
The song was written long before the conversation of children’s involvement at drag shows became a political cudgel for right-wing lawmakers, and Alaska says that the show hasn’t changed its Brendan plotline to reflect that reality.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 2 Dec. 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
The letters may signal that the cudgels will be legal.
—Tim Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
The song was written long before the conversation of children’s involvement at drag shows became a political cudgel for right-wing lawmakers, and Alaska says that the show hasn’t changed its Brendan plotline to reflect that reality.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 2 Dec. 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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In covert gatherings across California, raw goat or cow milk is mixed with cane alcohol and sugars to make pajaretes.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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But you cane experience a bit of Turner and Constable’s London by making a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts, where both artists studied, although Turner earned the Academy’s prestigious designation of Royal Academician in 1802; Constable was elected years later in 1829.—
Catherine Sabino,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Context JonBenét Ramsey was bludgeoned and strangled to death in the basement of her family's Boulder home in 1996 and the case has gripped public attention ever since.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Twenty-eight years have passed since 6-year-old JonBenet was found strangled and bludgeoned to death in the basement of her family's Boulder, Colorado, home the day after Christmas in 1996, and authorities have yet to identify the person who killed her.—
Audrey Conklin,
Fox News,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Eventually, Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant took the baton with the Lakers and passed it off to LeBron James.—
Evan Webeck,
The Mercury News,
14 Feb. 2025
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Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have willingly taken the baton from Brady and the Patriots as the NFL's latest dynasty.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
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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Advocates, meanwhile, have assailed the measure as cruel and counterproductive.—
Ethan Varian,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
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Several Democratic committee members sharply assailed the Trump administration's decision this week to effectively shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Cut the cabbage into thin strips (or use a grater), julienne the carrots and mango, and chop the cilantro.—
Jessica Fields,
Essence,
21 Feb. 2025
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Virgo teaches us that spiritual work is not always grand or mystical but often found in the repetition of simple, necessary tasks: chop wood, carry water.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Reese smacked Clark in the head with her arm while trying to block a shot in their first WNBA meeting June 1.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
14 Feb. 2025
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The future — mechanical, intelligent, overwhelming — is today smacking us in the face.—
Colin Demarest,
Axios,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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If you're downed during a boss fight, teammates must revive you by whacking your crawling body.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
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Beyond tennis, Tom Brady and LeBron James have invested in professional teams, while Hollywood actors Catherine O’Hara and Willem Defoe were filmed whacking shots on a court in a recent Super Bowl commercial.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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