variants
also shillalah
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the bartender in the Irish pub keeps a shillelagh behind the bar just in case there's trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shillelagh
The original shillelagh was retired with a new one introduced in 1997.
—
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
There are fleas and chamber pots and thumbed noses and a St. Patrick’s Day picnic that — hold on to your shillelagh!
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Or this:Youu can't pack a shillelagh in your carry-on: TSA finds cudgel at Idaho airport Meg Foster, a justice fellow at Georgetown University's Center on Privacy and Technology, said there are concerns about bias within the algorithms of various facial recognition technologies.
—Rebecca Santana and Rick Gentilo, USA TODAY, 15 May 2023
Air travelers, take note: Be sure to keep your guns and your knives and shillelaghs – and your cats for that matter – out of your carry-ons.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 19 Apr. 2023
In contemporary times, some people study bataireacht, a type of Irish martial art, using the shillelagh.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2023
Owusu Koramoah loved it when former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly hoisted the jeweled shillelagh in the locker room when the Irish would beat USC.
—Jimmy Watkins, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2022
The shillelagh, a tall walking stick, was also a protection against large animals.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
Alabama played a competitive first half of its NCAA tournament opener Friday against Notre Dame, but then took a whack from the Fighting Irish’s shillelagh in the second half to end its season with a 78-64 loss.
—Mike Rodak | [email protected], al, 18 Mar. 2022
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
There are fleas and chamber pots and thumbed noses and a St. Patrick’s Day picnic that — hold on to your shillelagh!
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Or this:Youu can't pack a shillelagh in your carry-on: TSA finds cudgel at Idaho airport Meg Foster, a justice fellow at Georgetown University's Center on Privacy and Technology, said there are concerns about bias within the algorithms of various facial recognition technologies.
—Rebecca Santana and Rick Gentilo, USA TODAY, 15 May 2023
Air travelers, take note: Be sure to keep your guns and your knives and shillelaghs – and your cats for that matter – out of your carry-ons.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 19 Apr. 2023
In contemporary times, some people study bataireacht, a type of Irish martial art, using the shillelagh.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2023
Owusu Koramoah loved it when former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly hoisted the jeweled shillelagh in the locker room when the Irish would beat USC.
—Jimmy Watkins, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2022
The shillelagh, a tall walking stick, was also a protection against large animals.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
Alabama played a competitive first half of its NCAA tournament opener Friday against Notre Dame, but then took a whack from the Fighting Irish’s shillelagh in the second half to end its season with a 78-64 loss.
—Mike Rodak | [email protected], al, 18 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shillelagh
Noun
-
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission educators will provide cane poles, rods and reels, bait and tackle and offer fishing tips.—
Flip Putthoff,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
-
Meanwhile sugar cane extract gently exfoliates while antioxidants to signs of aging, for overall more vibrant skin tone and improve elasticity.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
YoungBoy takes the baton and aims at his detractors.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
21 May 2025
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During his testimony, Mills said the officers were afraid and exhausted but noted that some of the methods used on Nichols complied with police department policies, including using wrist locks and hitting with a baton.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Jones worked the big brown back to his boat, set his fishing rod down, and used both hands to haul it aboard.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
22 May 2025
-
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission educators will provide cane poles, rods and reels, bait and tackle and offer fishing tips.—
Flip Putthoff,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
That lineup will go up against a pitching staff that is not at full strength, as L.A. starters Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell – the latter two being of interest to the Yankees this past offseason – are on the injured list.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
-
All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.—
The Learning Network,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shillelagh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shillelagh. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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