bastinado

noun

ˌba-stə-ˈnā-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce bastinado (audio)
variants or bastinade
Definition of bastinadonext
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment the guards savagely beat the prisoner's feet with a bastinado

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bastinado
  1. cane
  2. baton
Noun
  • After obtaining a search warrant for an apartment, investigators obtained two canes and a red, wooden paddle handle, the warrant states.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026
  • Depp hobbled around — supported by a cane, sporting a dusty top hat, and ensconced behind a wrought iron gate — while fans shouted out questions.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
Definition of cane
Noun
  • Tensions escalated after protesters marching toward Parliament were met with a police crackdown earlier in the week, with officers using batons and tear gas to disperse crowds.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The demonstrations have become one of the most persistent challenges to Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons to disperse marchers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of baton
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bastilles
bastinado
bastinadoes
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Cite this Entry

“Bastinado.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bastinado. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bastinado

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bastinado

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