thrash

verb

thrashed; thrashing; thrashes
Synonyms of thrashnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to beat soundly with or as if with a stick or whip : flog
b
: to defeat decisively or severely
thrashed the visiting team
2
: to swing, beat, or strike in the manner of a rapidly moving flail
thrashing his arms
3
a
: to go over again and again
thrash the matter over inconclusively
b
: to hammer out : forge
thrash out a plan
4
: to separate the seeds of from the husks and straw by beating : thresh sense 1

intransitive verb

1
: to move or stir about violently : toss about
thrash in bed with a fever
2
: to deal blows or strokes like one using a flail or whip
3
Choose the Right Synonym for thrash

swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down.

swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

Examples of thrash in a Sentence

He thrashed me with his belt. The team thrashed them last week. Something was thrashing wildly in the water. She thrashed around in her sleep.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The four-time World Cup winners have won eight straight matches dating back to September 2025 and just thrashed Finland 4-0 last weekend. Tom Bogert, New York Times, 5 June 2026 The spotted fish thrashes angrily, disturbing the waters so that the pool’s edge laps against the rock. Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 While Hines expressed concern that the snakes could be venomous water moccasins, Kennedy ultimately brushed off her worries as the reptiles continued to thrash and buck in his hands. Drew Pittock, USA Today, 28 May 2026 Pineda’s arrest also caused recurring nightmares that leave him shouting and thrashing around in bed. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrash

Word History

Etymology

alteration of thresh

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of thrash was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrash. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

thrash

verb
ˈthrash
1
2
a
: to strike forcefully especially with a long instrument (as a whip) : flog
b
: to defeat decisively or severely
thrashed the visiting team
3
: to move or stir about violently
something was thrashing wildly in the water
4
: to go over again and again
thrash the matter over
thrash out a plan

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