cudgel 1 of 2

noun

ˈkə-jəl How to pronounce cudgel (audio)
Definition of cudgelnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cudgel

2 of 2

verb

as in to bludgeon

Related 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 cudgel
Noun
Their dynamic is instead a cudgel to beat the film into an even more revolting shape. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026 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
Verb
Bruce Springsteen was standing up to the president, while universities and law firms were being cudgeled and cowed. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for cudgel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cudgel
  1. cane
  2. bludgeon
  3. baton
  4. clout
  5. assail
  6. chop
  7. smack
  8. whack
Noun
  • Then pants, boots and cane and of course, the last is the cape.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Questions that have been proposed for removal deal with memory, fatigue, arthritis, difficulty walking and climbing stairs, as well as others about the use of hearing aids, canes, wheelchairs and scooters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of cane
Verb
  • In Northwestern’s first game at Ryan Field, Chip Kelly’s offense bludgeoned Matt Campbell’s 3-2 Penn State with 413 rushing yards, part of a 34-13 show by the 3-1 Wildcats.
    — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The crime shocked the community for its brutality, as both Andrew and Abby were bludgeoned to death, and its boldness, occurring in the middle of the day on a busy street.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of bludgeon
Noun
  • Under the pain of Clancy’s stun baton, Thomas accesses Tommy Maximoff’s speed powers, blurring into super-fast motion.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Riot police have liberally used tear gas and wielded their batons to disperse crowds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of baton
Verb
  • Holder clouted Chameera for three sixes in four deliveries to end the 19th and leave West Indies needing six runs for victory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 June 2026
  • The 'merch hauls' on social media are awful, the desperate pathetic influencers trying to clout chase using the Masters are all awful.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of clout
Verb
  • In a process known as autotomy, the assailing bee leaves its stinger operating independently, driven by its own muscles, various glands, neural ganglia, and a venom sac.
    — Mike McRae October 12, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Bass assailed Raman over the video, accusing the councilmember of calling the city’s police officers fascist liars.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of assail
Verb
  • Jegadish clipped her smart phone to a headset and began chopping a carrot, her phone recording her every hand movement.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Remove pan from heat and return brussels sprouts and chicken to pan; top with 1 cup salted roasted pecans, coarsely chopped.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of chop
Verb
  • Eventually, Bird’s film — with a script co-written by Matthew Robbins — gets to the meat of the action when Venus’ extremely complicated life runs smack into Ray and his knack for sniffing out bad guys.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Eagles also have been smacked with injuries and played without several key starters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of smack
Verb
  • When the game resumed, families in the stands celebrated each time a child managed to whack the ball.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • But every season thus far — not only including but especially this one — has concluded as a perverse, whack, and certainly damning portrait of American war games in an era of steep imperial decline.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of whack

Phrases Containing cudgel

Browse Nearby Words

cuddy
cudgel
cudgeled
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Cite this Entry

“Cudgel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cudgel. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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