clobber

[ klob-er ]

/ ˈklɒb ər /

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See synonyms for: clobber / clobbered on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object) Slang.

to batter severely; strike heavily: He tried to clobber me with his club.

to defeat decisively; drub; trounce.

to denounce or criticize vigorously.

OTHER WORDS FOR clobber

2 whip, thrash, lick.

See synonyms for clobber on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of clobber

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; origin uncertain

Other definitions for clobber (2 of 4)

clobber²

[ klob-er ]

/ ˈklɒb ər /

noun British, Australian Slang.

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

Origin of clobber

First recorded in 1875–80; of obscure origin; cf. clobber³

Other definitions for clobber (3 of 4)

clobber³

[ klob-er ]

/ ˈklɒb ər /

verb (used with object)

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

Origin of clobber

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

Other definitions for clobber (4 of 4)

clobber⁴

[ klob-er ]

/ ˈklɒb ər /

noun, verb (used without object) South Midland and Southern U.S.

clabber.

regional variations of clobber

See clabber.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use clobber in a sentence

Dayton’s formula was to keep clobbering everyone in its way, and eventually the sheer quantity of victories became hard to ignore.
NCAA tournament bracketology: Two No. 1 seeds could go to teams outside power conferences|Patrick Stevens|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz clobbered the ball this October.
The Red Sox Win the World Series: Big Papi By the Numbers|The Daily Beast|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Talk to people close to the administration, and you get the sense that their greater fear is being clobbered in Washington.
What Ronald Reagan Can Teach Barack Obama About Dealing With Iran|Peter Beinart|September 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Watching the Republicans get clobbered among Hispanic voters apparently hastened the process.
The New Era of Evolution Helps Pols Switch Stance on Issues from Gay Marriage to Immigration|Howard Kurtz|April 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

“He lost a lot of donors; he was clobbered by conservative funders,” says Haskins.
Republicans Play Catch-Up on Gay Marriage|Eleanor Clift|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One man clobbered alleged gunman Jared Loughner on the back of the head with a folding chair.
Can Collective Action Stop Mass Shooters?|Megan McArdle|December 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It was Hollingwood, the metallurgist, looking unhappy with a tremendous bruise on his head where Wayne had clobbered him.
The Judas Valley|Gerald Vance
And something about the size of Luna came out of nowhere and clobbered me on the occiput.
A Spaceship Named McGuire|Gordon Randall Garrett
You fellows clobbered him, so now you can get him into the ship.
To Choke an Ocean|Jesse F. (Jesse Franklin) Bone
To even suggest that all necessary information isn't contained therein, is enough to have you clobbered.
Border, Breed Nor Birth|Dallas McCord Reynolds
"And get clobbered in the stampeding around between the two great powers," Kenny said dryly.
Border, Breed Nor Birth|Dallas McCord Reynolds

British Dictionary definitions for clobber (1 of 3)

clobber¹

/ (ˈklɒbə) /

verb (tr) slang

to beat or batter

to defeat utterly

to criticize severely

Word Origin for clobber

C20: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for clobber (2 of 3)

clobber²

/ (ˈklɒbə) /

noun

British slang personal belongings, such as clothes and accessories

Word Origin for clobber

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for clobber (3 of 3)

clobber³

/ (ˈklɒbə) /

verb

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

Word Origin for clobber

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

clobber

OTHER WORDS FOR clobber

Origin of clobber

Other definitions for clobber (2 of 4)

Origin of clobber

Other definitions for clobber (3 of 4)

Origin of clobber

Other definitions for clobber (4 of 4)

regional variations of clobber

Words related to clobber

How to use clobber in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clobber (1 of 3)

Word Origin for clobber

British Dictionary definitions for clobber (2 of 3)

Word Origin for clobber

British Dictionary definitions for clobber (3 of 3)

Word Origin for clobber