noun
bludgeon
BLUHJ-uhn
Bludgeon (noun) means a short, heavy club used as a weapon. Example: “The attacker was carrying a homemade bludgeon.”
noun
1
A short, heavy club used as a weapon.
"The attacker was carrying a homemade bludgeon."
verb
1
To hit someone repeatedly and violently with a heavy object.
"He was bludgeoned during a robbery outside the station."
2
To force someone into doing something through pressure or intimidation.
"The manager tried to bludgeon the team into accepting unpaid overtime."
How to use bludgeon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heavy club, or the act of beating someone with one — also used figuratively for forcing someone into agreement through pressure.
Common pairings
bludgeon someone to death
bludgeon into submission
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Word forms
- Plural
- bludgeons
- Third person singular
- bludgeons
- Past tense
- bludgeoned
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The attacker was carrying a homemade _____.
Etymology
First recorded in 1730; origin uncertain, possibly from Cornish or an old French word for a club.
Class of 1730
bludgeon joined the language around 1730.
See the full Class of 1730 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bludgeon
See all rhymes for bludgeon →Frequently asked questions
What does “bludgeon” mean?
The word “bludgeon” means a short, heavy club used as a weapon. In plain terms, a heavy club, or the act of beating someone with one — also used figuratively for forcing someone into agreement through pressure.
How do you pronounce “bludgeon”?
“Bludgeon” is pronounced BLUHJ-uhn (/ˈblʌd͡ʒ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “bludgeon” in a sentence?
Here is “bludgeon” used in a sentence: “The attacker was carrying a homemade bludgeon.”
What part of speech is “bludgeon”?
Depending on how it is used, “bludgeon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bludgeon” come from?
The word “bludgeon” dates back to around 1730 and comes from Old French. First recorded in 1730; origin uncertain, possibly from Cornish or an old French word for a club.
How many meanings does “bludgeon” have?
“Bludgeon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, heavy club used as a weapon.
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