thrashing

noun

thrash·​ing ˈthra-shiŋ How to pronounce thrashing (audio)
plural thrashings
1
: a severe beating or flogging
If a poacher was taken he was given a thrashing as well as being prosecuted with its consequent jail sentence.W. Mostyn Thomas
"They called her a little blue ragamuffin, father," said Harry, who ran in looking very angry. "But I have given it to them. They won't insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing they will remember."Anna Sewell
2
: a dominating defeat of an opponent
… after going 6-5 on a tough road trip that concluded with 9-2 and 12-4 thrashings of the Giants last weekend, they were 57-41 …Phil Taylor

Examples of thrashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Riverdale Ridge is heading to its first-ever championship game thanks to a second-half thrashing of defending runners-up D’Evelyn. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Instead, Bella waddles around her London home thrashing, blabbing, and twirling in elaborate blouses. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 As soon as a fish hits the deck (gently, so as not to bruise the meat) a deckhand dispatches it with a spike to the brain or spinal cord, which kills the fish quickly and reduces thrashing, which can stress the meat. Tom Fowlks, Outdoor Life, 1 Feb. 2024 Miami is coming off a 56-19 thrashing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, who clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the win. Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024 India flamed out in a thrashing to England and trudged off the Adelaide Oval in embarrassment apparently in desperate need of regeneration. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 That string included a 45-3 thrashing of the Jets, who would eliminate them on the same field six weeks later. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2024 Of the Nightingale is a 45-minute thrashing, crawling, pulsing solo dance, designed both to exhaust and exult its performer, Stefania Tansini. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2024 Durability: Select a book that can hold up to the thrashing, tossing, and tearing of toddlers who don’t know any better yet. Laura Denby, Parents, 30 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thrashing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thrashing was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near thrashing

Cite this Entry

“Thrashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrashing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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