bludgeon

/'blʌdʤən/

Thân thiện

A man holds a heavy bludgeon in his hand.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A short, heavy club, typically thicker at one end, used as a weapon: A "bludgeon" is a primitive weapon designed for striking, often made of wood or metal.

2. Verb:

   • To strike repeatedly with a heavy club or similar object: This is the literal meaning, describing a violent physical attack.
   • To coerce, intimidate, or bully someone into doing something: This is a figurative meaning, describing the use of forceful, often aggressive, persuasion.

Usage and Examples

• Noun: The security guard found a makeshift bludgeon near the scene.In the museum, they displayed an ancient bludgeon made of stone.

• Verb (Literal): The attacker tried to bludgeon the victim.Historical accounts describe how warriors would bludgeon their enemies.

• Verb (Figurative): The manager bludgeoned the team into working overtime.He didn't try to persuade; he simply bludgeoned everyone into agreement with his loud, relentless arguments.

Advanced Usage

• "To bludgeon one's way": To force a path or achieve an objective through sheer, often crude, force or determination.

Variants and Related Words

• Bludgeoner (noun): A person who bludgeons.

Synonyms

• Noun: Club, cudgel, truncheon, baton.
• Verb (Literal): Beat, club, batter, cudgel.
• Verb (Figurative): Coerce, bully, strong-arm, intimidate, browbeat.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. Its figurative use often follows the pattern "bludgeon into [doing something]".)

Related Idioms

• "A blunt instrument": While not an idiom with "bludgeon," this phrase is conceptually similar, referring to a crude, non-subtle method or tool, much like a bludgeon itself.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a club used as a weapon

Verb

1. strike with a club or a bludgeon
2. overcome or coerce as if by using a heavy club
   • The teacher bludgeoned the students into learning the math formulas

Từ đồng nghĩa

• club