1
as in smacked
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
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2
as in pounded
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
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Recent Examples of bludgeoned
Using a giant rock, Linda bludgeoned the local boat captain and sent both him and Zuri plunging to their deaths.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Once at the home, which sits just north of Burbank Boulevard, police found a bloody scene and investigators believe the woman was bludgeoned to death with an axe, Fox Los Angeles reported.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
White’s onslaught was only part of a crucial advantage for the Bulls, who bludgeoned the Nets from the 3-point arc in the first half (60%).
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
She was found hog-tied in her home, having been bludgeoned with a fire poker.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Others, like Eberhardt, were bludgeoned.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
After a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp, prosecutors concluded that Kathleen was bludgeoned to death.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Activists of Khan’s party were abducted, leaders hunted down, bought or bludgeoned into submission.
—Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors argued at trial that Dorotik bludgeoned and strangled her husband in their upstairs bedroom.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Once at the home, which sits just north of Burbank Boulevard, police found a bloody scene and investigators believe the woman was bludgeoned to death with an axe, Fox Los Angeles reported.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
White’s onslaught was only part of a crucial advantage for the Bulls, who bludgeoned the Nets from the 3-point arc in the first half (60%).
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026
She was found hog-tied in her home, having been bludgeoned with a fire poker.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Others, like Eberhardt, were bludgeoned.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
After a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp, prosecutors concluded that Kathleen was bludgeoned to death.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Activists of Khan’s party were abducted, leaders hunted down, bought or bludgeoned into submission.
—Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors argued at trial that Dorotik bludgeoned and strangled her husband in their upstairs bedroom.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeoned
Verb
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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After accepting a cross-ice pass from Ryan McDonagh, Kucherov smacked a one-timer from outside the right faceoff dot over Swayman’s glove, tying the score at 5-5.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Like a medieval castle, where lords slept, blacksmiths pounded, soldiers trained, mummers mummed, and farmers sold their produce, the 21st century armory will be a mixed-use project in the truest sense.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Court documents say when the officers tried to leave, Catlett pounded on the hood and kicked the side door of their car.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beware of the word ‘spread’ slapped across anything passing itself off as pimento cheese.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The league also slapped the Pistons’ Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart with suspensions.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ghadimi licked her lips over and over.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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When asked by director Marina Zenovich if there was a time when Chase walked away from his mother and stepfather and never saw them again, Chase pretended to swat a fly on his forehead, then licked his fingers as if eating the imaginary bug.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As former agent and cap expert Joel Corry told me, the amount that Ross agrees to pay of Tagovailoa’s 2026 salary (for a new team) would not have much effect on his Dolphins’ dead money cap hit provided the trade is made after June 1.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Some of the students at Naperville North tried to mimic the coach’s actions, working on their technique, while other appeared to be more focused on hitting the ball to their friend as hard as possible.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The skier’s comments somehow came to the attention of the president, who lashed out at Hess on Truth Social on Sunday.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2026
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The president has lashed out at current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over the Fed's slow-and-steady approach to interest rate cuts over the last year.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Coarse stones with large crystals chip and fracture easily when knocked together.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the letter to Demacopoulos, the family said Gutiérrez told a friend that her boyfriend punched her and knocked one out.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pierce died Friday after being whipped with a belt and being forced to stand in a cold shower, authorities said.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Thanks to whipped egg whites, these cookies are airy and crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeoned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeoned. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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