bludgeon

[ bluhj-uhn ]
See synonyms for bludgeon on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a short, heavy club with one end weighted, or thicker and heavier than the other.

verb (used with object)
  1. to strike or knock down with a bludgeon.

  2. to force into something; coerce; bully: The boss finally bludgeoned him into accepting responsibility.

Origin of bludgeon

1
First recorded in 1720–30; origin uncertain

Other words from bludgeon

  • bludg·eon·er, bludg·eon·eer [bluhj-uh-neer], /ˌblʌdʒ əˈnɪər/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for bludgeon

bludgeon

/ (ˈblʌdʒən) /


noun
  1. a stout heavy club, typically thicker at one end

  2. a person, line of argument, etc, that is effective but unsubtle

verb(tr)
  1. to hit or knock down with or as with a bludgeon

  2. (often foll by into) to force; bully; coerce: they bludgeoned him into accepting the job

Origin of bludgeon

1
C18: of uncertain origin

Derived forms of bludgeon

  • bludgeoner, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012