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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clout
Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
Walgreens believed that its scale and its millions of customers gave it clout with pharmacy benefits managers, or PBMs, which function as a type of go-between, negotiating how much patients pay for drugs, what insurers owe drugmakers, and how much pharmacies are reimbursed.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 17 June 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
The clout is real and the consequences are significant.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
Walgreens believed that its scale and its millions of customers gave it clout with pharmacy benefits managers, or PBMs, which function as a type of go-between, negotiating how much patients pay for drugs, what insurers owe drugmakers, and how much pharmacies are reimbursed.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 17 June 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
-
Pang’s departure is a blow to Apple’s AI ambitions and comes amid internal scrutiny of its AI strategy, which has so far failed to match the capabilities fielded by rival tech companies, leaving Apple dependent on third-party AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
-
The news was not only a blow to Lilly but also a surprise to millions using Zepbound on Caremark plans, who are now questioning how to move forward.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Those descriptors are accurate enough, as the band themselves have been upfront and proud about their influences: Lucinda Williams, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Bill Callahan, the Beatles.—
Leah Lu,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
-
Palace had argued that Textor does not have decisive influence at the club because his investment in Palace only entitles him to the same 25% voting rights held by fellow co-owners Steve Parish, David Blitzer and Josh Harris.—
Robert Olsen,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Another of Raleigh's sons, Kyle, ran up, and punched Morrow in the head before pinning him to the pavement.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
-
Kelly tries to pick up his cell phone and belongings scattered on a bike lane when the twins return and begin punching him, the video shows.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
So this isn’t a slap at the spending aspect of CUT.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
So the defense went out of its way to present witnesses who could corroborate Ventura Fine’s striking allegations of abuse. Of the slaps, punches and most of all the kicks delivered to the bodies of young women.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Leagues should try using their leverage to demand an end to these kinds of within-game wagers, which seem like a shameless come-on for those who are addiction-prone. .—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
12 July 2025
-
The key is knowing which names have real leverage to that shift and which are simply cyclical placeholders.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Standing all of 4-foot-5 and weighing 63 pounds, Indie-Reign routinely smacks the ball about 170 yards off the tee.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
In 1648, a group of English Puritans set sail from Bermuda to avoid religious persecution only to smack into Devil’s Backbone reef.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Above her, the sweeping halo scoreboard glowed, flashing beneath the thump of blasting pop anthems.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
On the footage, the sound is a muffled thump, and neither Rush nor Foss seemed alarmed.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The world's wealthy are seeking cutting-edge retail experiences, but the personal touch of interacting with their favorite luxury stores still holds ultimate sway.—
Forbes Research,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Motorola, with its back-in-the-pack position and the uncertainty about whether its new Moto X phone would be a hit, had little sway in comparison.—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clout. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share