bludgeon

UK: /ˈblʌdʒ^ən/ US: /ˈblʌdʒən/ ,(bluj′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

bludg•eon /ˈblʌdʒən/   n. 

[countable]
1. a short, heavy club with one end thicker and heavier than the other.

v. [~ + object]

2. to strike or knock down with a bludgeon:
   bludgeoned the victim to death.
3. to force (someone) into doing something by threats:
   bludgeoned me into testifying against my best friend.

bludg•eon•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bludg•eon  (bluj′ən), n. 

1. a short, heavy club with one end weighted, or thicker and heavier than the other.

v.t. 

2. to strike or knock down with a bludgeon.
3. to force into something; coerce;
   bully:
   The boss finally bludgeoned him into accepting responsibility.

• origin, originally uncertain 1720–30

bludg′eon•er, bludg•eon•eer  (bluj′ə nēr′), n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bludgeon / ˈblʌdʒən/ noun

1. a stout heavy club, typically thicker at one end
2. a person, line of argument, etc, that is effective but unsubtle

verb (transitive)

1. to hit or knock down with or as with a bludgeon
2. (often followed by into) to force; bully; coerce

Etymology: 18th Century: of uncertain origin