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
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 racial abuse allegedly took place as Barca celebrated one of its goals in a 4-0 thrashing of its bitter rival at the Bernabeu on October 26, which helped the Catalans boast their current six-point lead at the top of La Liga. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 There was a 3-1 defeat to Sevilla, flummoxed early on by an awkward bouncing ball, and a 4-1 thrashing by Barcelona. Thom Harris, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024 Law, just six months into a three-year contract, was fired after U.S. suffered a 10-wicket thrashing by Scotland in a one-day international qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 The Hawks looked to bounce back from a 6-3 thrashing by the Vancouver Canucks three nights earlier and looked well on their way. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thrashing 

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 8 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!