Clout — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklau̇t/

Meaning & Definition of Clout

Clout (noun)

  1. a piece of cloth or leather, rag
  2. a blow especially with the hand; also, a hard hit in baseball
  3. a white cloth on a stake or frame used as a target in archery

Clout (verb)

  1. to cover or patch with a clout
  2. to hit forcefully

Clout (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

    "gave the stubborn handle a solid clout to make it turn"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, crack, cuff, dab, douse (British), fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup (dialect), lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop
    related: counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling, drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

  2. the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly

    "has a great deal of clout in the film industry"

    similar: authority, credit, heft, in, influence, juice (slang), leverage, pull, sway, weight
    related: counterinfluence, command, dominance, dominion, mastery, predominance, reign, scepter, sovereignty, supremacy, consequence, eminence, importance, moment, impact, impress, impression, imprint, mark
    near: helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Clout (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, crack, hammer, hit, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap, hang one on
    related: batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste, lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough, scuff, bunt, flick, stroke, tap, bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp, bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump (slang), fell, floor, knock down, level, rabbit-punch, sucker punch, cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip, bean, brain, conk, skull

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clout

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clout:

British: douse
Dialect: larrup
Slang: juice
bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, crack, cuff, dab, fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger

Related Words for Clout

counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling

Near Antonyms of Clout

helplessness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Word Forms of Clout

Inflections: clouted, clouting, clouts

Origin & Etymology of Clout

Middle English, from Old English clūt; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, Russian gluda

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Clout

Frequently Asked Questions about Clout

What does "Clout" mean?

"Clout" means a piece of cloth or leather, rag. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a piece of cloth or leather, rag. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clout"?

Other words for "Clout" include bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow and bop. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clout" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clout"?

There are 189 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clout". Common alternatives include bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box and buffet.

How do you use "Clout" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clout" in a sentence: "gave the stubborn handle a solid clout to make it turn"; "has a great deal of clout in the film industry"; "clouted the nail with the hammer and drove it all the way into the wood".

Is "Clout" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clout" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Clout" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Clout" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Clout"?

"Clout" is pronounced /ˈklau̇t/.

What is the origin of the word "Clout"?

"Clout" comes from Middle English, from Old English clūt; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, Russian gluda. First known use: before 12th century.