clobber

¹

[klob-er]

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to batter severely; strike heavily.

   He tried to clobber me with his club.

2. to defeat decisively; drub; trounce.

   Synonyms: lick, thrash, whip

3. to denounce or criticize vigorously.

clobber

²

[klob-er]

noun

British, Australian Slang.

1. (used with a plural verb),  clothes.

clobber

³

[klob-er]

verb (used with object)

1. to paint over existing decoration on (a ceramic piece).

clobber

⁴

[klob-er]

noun

South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. clabber.

clobber

¹

/ ˈklɒbə /

verb

1. to beat or batter

2. to defeat utterly

3. to criticize severely

clobber

²

/ ˈklɒbə /

noun

1. slang,  personal belongings, such as clothes and accessories

clobber

³

/ ˈklɒbə /

verb

1. (tr) to paint over existing decoration on (pottery)

Word History and Origins

Origin of clobber¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; origin uncertain

Origin of clobber²

First recorded in 1875–80; of obscure origin; clobber ³

Origin of clobber³

First recorded in 1850–55; earlier, “to mend, patch up (clothes or shoes)”; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of clobber¹

C20: of unknown origin

Origin of clobber²

C19: of unknown origin

Origin of clobber³

C19 (originally in the sense: to patch up): of uncertain origin; perhaps related to _clobber ²

Example Sentences

In the eighth, he clobbered a leadoff home run deep to right field for his 50th long ball of the season, making him just the sixth player in MLB history with consecutive 50-homer campaigns.

From Los Angeles Times

Skipping their origin story keeps things tight while underlining the idea that these are settled-down grown-ups secure in their abilities to lengthen, disappear, ignite and clobber.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a magpie movie that’s happy to give audiences the tinselly things they want — i.e., two robots clobbering the Wi-Fi out of each other.

From Los Angeles Times

"Extra investment in public transport must also focus on cutting fares for hard-pressed families being clobbered by a cost of living crisis."

From BBC

Over the course of the movie, he’s nearly murdered a half-dozen times by bullets, bombs, poison gas and a good old-fashioned clobbering.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drub 
• smother 
• thrash 
• wallop