Bludgeon

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /blÊŒdÊ’.É™n/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒdÊ’É™n

Origin

First attested in 1730. Origin uncertain, perhaps of Cornish origin (recorded as blogon c. 1450) or from Middle French bougeon, a diminutive of bouge ("club, stick").

Full definition of bludgeon

Noun

1. A short, heavy club, often of wood, which is thicker or loaded at one end.We smashed the radio with a steel bludgeon.

Verb

1. (transitive) To strike or hit with something hard, usually on the head; to club.The apprehended rioter was bludgeoned to death.
2. (transitive) To coerce someone, as if with a bludgeon.Their favorite method was bludgeoning us with the same old arguments in favor of their opinions.

Synonyms

• (to club) cudgel
• (coerce) harrass, pummel

Derived terms

• bludgeoner

Related terms

• clobber
• beat