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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in pounded
to strike repeatedly
a boxer bludgeoning his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bludgeoned
Authorities say Pamela Austin was found bludgeoned and stabbed to death, and Michael Austin appeared dead from a manner of suicide.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Throughout Season 51, sketches have buckled under dragging runtimes, one-note jokes bludgeoned to death and facile concepts; earlier this year, another first time host, Teyana Taylor, was similarly let down by sketches that couldn’t match her depth and range as a performer.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
The Wolverines bludgeoned teams throughout the NCAA Tournament.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
The 60-year-old wife of banker Leroy Rudolph was found in a bathtub filled with water, her body fatally bludgeoned.
—Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2026
Lumpkin’s daughter, Alisha Keeney, who was 12 when her father was bludgeoned to death, told the court her mother had not served enough time for the brutal slaying.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Almost a month later, she was found bludgeoned to death in a creek in eastern Williamson County.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Their pursuit proved unsuccessful, and since then, first with the Los Angeles Angels and now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the four-time MVP has largely bludgeoned the Rangers when provided an opportunity to do so.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Wealthy financier Thomas Cressman (Ed Speleers) has been found bludgeoned and stabbed to death.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Throughout Season 51, sketches have buckled under dragging runtimes, one-note jokes bludgeoned to death and facile concepts; earlier this year, another first time host, Teyana Taylor, was similarly let down by sketches that couldn’t match her depth and range as a performer.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2026
The Wolverines bludgeoned teams throughout the NCAA Tournament.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
The 60-year-old wife of banker Leroy Rudolph was found in a bathtub filled with water, her body fatally bludgeoned.
—Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Mar. 2026
Lumpkin’s daughter, Alisha Keeney, who was 12 when her father was bludgeoned to death, told the court her mother had not served enough time for the brutal slaying.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Almost a month later, she was found bludgeoned to death in a creek in eastern Williamson County.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Their pursuit proved unsuccessful, and since then, first with the Los Angeles Angels and now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the four-time MVP has largely bludgeoned the Rangers when provided an opportunity to do so.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Wealthy financier Thomas Cressman (Ed Speleers) has been found bludgeoned and stabbed to death.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bludgeoned
Verb
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Mansfield ended the shutout bid in the seventh when Andrew Simmons smacked a two-out single that brought Jacob Bianchi home.—
Tim Crowley,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The puck smacked off Vladar's left pad, then his right and across the goal line to give Pittsburgh the lead for good.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The updraft knifed through the building, whose inhabitants were already suffering without heat or power for much of the winter as Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy system.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The glass began to sway as fans pounded on it in excitement and then gave way, with pieces raining on Smith.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Marcus Smart grabbed the ball and fired a two-handed pass to James, who bobbled it and slapped it to Luke Kennard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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In one of the more striking examples, retail traders stampeded into Allbirds after the troubled shoemaker slapped an artificial intelligence label on its business.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When a boy had licked her neck at a party during the first week of college, a stranger!—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
There was one girl who licked doorknobs.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Austin Hays then hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries lashed back at Leavitt.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Leo has not lashed out, or gotten defensive, or allowed himself to be pulled down into the gutter.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here's a look at the pitch that ultimately knocked Jasson Domínguez out of the game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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The girl reportedly freed herself and knocked on a nearby neighbor's door, where she was brought inside to safety.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Emery had been incessant in wanting shorter, faster balls from his deeper players, with Villa’s best opportunity of the afternoon stemming from brave passing in combination in the first half, coaxing Fulham onto them before John McGinn whipped a ball into the space behind.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Many in the room whipped out their cameras to start filming, and made the rounds to glean and share details.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bludgeoned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bludgeoned. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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