1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the stubborn handle a solid clout to make it turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
has a great deal of clout in the film industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to punch
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
clouted the nail with the hammer and drove it all the way into the wood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clout
Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 21 Mar. 2025
The disregard for its precedents is part of a broader pattern in which the clout and influence of the agency have eroded in the opening months of the administration.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The home run derby title went to St. Augustine senior first baseman M.J. Sweeney, who clouted six home runs in the first round and seven more in the final round to out-slug Madison senior outfielder Jake Jackson, who had six home runs in the first round but only three in the final.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for clout
Noun
In his Whole Hog newsletter, Chris Stirewalt writes about how the high-profile state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin later this month is a test of Musk’s clout.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 21 Mar. 2025
The disregard for its precedents is part of a broader pattern in which the clout and influence of the agency have eroded in the opening months of the administration.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Rapinoe, her replacement, clouted her kick well above the bar.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
The home run derby title went to St. Augustine senior first baseman M.J. Sweeney, who clouted six home runs in the first round and seven more in the final round to out-slug Madison senior outfielder Jake Jackson, who had six home runs in the first round but only three in the final.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for clout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clout
Noun
-
The result is just tit-for-tat subversion and another blow to America’s supposedly nonpartisan system of justice.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The endorsement was a boon to Mr. Cuomo, 67, and a blow to his rivals.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That economic footprint is matched by political and organizational influence.—
Ronak D. Desai,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
When a 1999 Top 100 list by a gay and lesbian publishing group failed to include Patricia Nell-Warren’s 1974 novel The Front Runner, many readers loudly objected, noting its influence on their own coming-out journeys.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on … Not Sarah Squirm’s fault and not hating on her.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
-
With their huge 198 score, the Green & White punched their first ticket to the NCAA Championships since 1988.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Two minutes later, Pastrnak redirected a slap pass from Morgan Geekie into the net to tie it 2-all.—
Jimmy Golen,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Closing the door to these studios during the extreme hype of a console’s launch window would be a slap to the face.—
Jason Evangelho,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Federal District Judge Dale E. Ho last week dismissed the charges against Mr. Adams with prejudice, meaning prosecutors can no longer revisit them, reducing the administration’s leverage to force the mayor to do its bidding.—
Jeffery C. Mays,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Your consultants will highlight such risks to PE firms, providing leverage in negotiations and ensuring compliance post-acquisition.—
David Van Ronk,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pennsylvania’s drift to the right was the fourth largest of the seven, smack in the middle.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Still, the Yankees managed to make things interesting in the ninth inning, as Volpe smacked a three-run homer off Arizona lefty A.J. Puk to cut the deficit to one.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rami Sinno is crouched beside a filing cabinet, wrestling a beach-ball sized disc out of a box, when a dull thump echoes around his laboratory.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Then the silence was broken by the loud thump of Olive’s .38/40.—
Horace R. Hinkley,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Venezuelans make up almost one-third of the city’s electorate and hold significant sway in local elections.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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With Turkish backing, HTS operated in northwestern Idlib Province through much of the Syrian civil war and managed to extend its sway over the territory.—
Jerome Drevon,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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