1
as in to whip
to defeat by a large margin
in the summer box office sweepstakes, most of the Hollywood blockbusters got whupped by a small indie movie with no stars
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
a boxer whupping a badly outmatched opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whup
As a metro-area duo, though, Johnson and Fisher would whup any bad-owner tag team from any other city.
—
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Nov. 2021
Realize can’t nobody whup you.
—Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2020
Real material and social progress is rarely made up out of glorious and dramatic crusades, though we are called to crusade from time to time: Hitler ain’t gonna whup his self.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 14 Sep. 2017
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Nov. 2021
Realize can’t nobody whup you.
—Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2020
Real material and social progress is rarely made up out of glorious and dramatic crusades, though we are called to crusade from time to time: Hitler ain’t gonna whup his self.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 14 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whup
Verb
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When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The greedy little piggy was licking his lips as María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader, curried favor by handing over her Nobel Peace Prize on Thursday.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
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The best wings achieve that combo of perfectly crisp and juicy under a finger-licking glaze.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
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One night after the Warriors snapped Minnesota's 103-game streak of scoring at least 100 points — the third-longest in NBA history — the Timberwolves overcame a cold start from the floor and 23 turnovers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Forecasters are warning the damage, especially in areas pounded by ice, could rival a hurricane.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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By Jason Mackey Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PALM BEACH GARDENS — The pop of a catcher’s mitt mixed with saws screeching and hammers pounding provides an appropriate soundtrack inside Paul Skenes’ offseason workout facility, a baseball-lover’s paradise and an encapsulation of his unique personality.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sure, some out there were robbing old people, choking people, robbing them, beating them up, taking their money, but Troy just wasn’t like that.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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Jalen Brunson scored 28 points and the New York Knicks dominated the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 103-87 on Tuesday night for their third straight victory.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Given one final chance to tie, Mazzulla sent Gonzalez back in as a late sub, and the 19-year-old buried one from the left corner to force a second OT.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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Tourists are urged to lock up their food and trash, and anglers instructed to bury any bait that may attract scavengers.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Didn't seem to be hiding anything.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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But hiding behind this benign climate state was all that titanic power flowing through the climate system.—
Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Iran attacked Al Udeid in June in response to Trump sending American warplanes to bomb Iranian nuclear enrichment sites during the war last year.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Last June, after indirect nuclear negotiations collapsed, the United States joined Israel in a 12-day war with Iran, bombing three of the country’s key nuclear facilities.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whup. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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