variants
also shillalah
as in cane
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the bartender in the Irish pub keeps a shillelagh behind the bar just in case there's trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shillelagh
The original shillelagh was retired with a new one introduced in 1997.
—
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
There are fleas and chamber pots and thumbed noses and a St. Patrick’s Day picnic that — hold on to your shillelagh!
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Or this:Youu can't pack a shillelagh in your carry-on: TSA finds cudgel at Idaho airport Meg Foster, a justice fellow at Georgetown University's Center on Privacy and Technology, said there are concerns about bias within the algorithms of various facial recognition technologies.
—Rebecca Santana and Rick Gentilo, USA TODAY, 15 May 2023
Air travelers, take note: Be sure to keep your guns and your knives and shillelaghs – and your cats for that matter – out of your carry-ons.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 19 Apr. 2023
In contemporary times, some people study bataireacht, a type of Irish martial art, using the shillelagh.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2023
Owusu Koramoah loved it when former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly hoisted the jeweled shillelagh in the locker room when the Irish would beat USC.
—Jimmy Watkins, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2022
The shillelagh, a tall walking stick, was also a protection against large animals.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
Alabama played a competitive first half of its NCAA tournament opener Friday against Notre Dame, but then took a whack from the Fighting Irish’s shillelagh in the second half to end its season with a 78-64 loss.
—Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 18 Mar. 2022
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
There are fleas and chamber pots and thumbed noses and a St. Patrick’s Day picnic that — hold on to your shillelagh!
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Or this:Youu can't pack a shillelagh in your carry-on: TSA finds cudgel at Idaho airport Meg Foster, a justice fellow at Georgetown University's Center on Privacy and Technology, said there are concerns about bias within the algorithms of various facial recognition technologies.
—Rebecca Santana and Rick Gentilo, USA TODAY, 15 May 2023
Air travelers, take note: Be sure to keep your guns and your knives and shillelaghs – and your cats for that matter – out of your carry-ons.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 19 Apr. 2023
In contemporary times, some people study bataireacht, a type of Irish martial art, using the shillelagh.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2023
Owusu Koramoah loved it when former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly hoisted the jeweled shillelagh in the locker room when the Irish would beat USC.
—Jimmy Watkins, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2022
The shillelagh, a tall walking stick, was also a protection against large animals.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
Alabama played a competitive first half of its NCAA tournament opener Friday against Notre Dame, but then took a whack from the Fighting Irish’s shillelagh in the second half to end its season with a 78-64 loss.
—Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 18 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shillelagh
Noun
-
Hackman, 95, racked by advanced Alzheimer’s disease, then died in a mudroom on the other side of the house, a cane and sunglasses nearby.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Think real greenery and houseplants, breezy linens, rattan and cane furnishings and decor, light wood furnishings, and a palette of crisp whites, greens, and warm terracotta tones.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Here’s Why The GOP Is Divided Taking the baton from her father, who at 95, still comes in just about everyday, Annie and the next generation of Zabar’s are keeping the beloved mecca moving into the 21st century.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Just before the latter event, an assailant struck Kerrigan’s knee with a police baton after a practice session at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Plus, the main bedroom comes equipped with a closet and hanging rods for your getaway wardrobe.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2025
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Viewed from above in its default shape, the robot sports a flat ring-like frame made up of two looped, intersecting, flexible fiberglass rods.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
By assessing employee capabilities and identifying areas for development more efficiently, the company can ensure staff members are well-equipped to meet evolving business needs.—
Gordon Pelosse,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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About the Author Olga Khazan Olga Khazan is a staff writer at The Atlantic.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shillelagh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shillelagh. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
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