thrashing

1 of 2

noun

thrash·​ing ˈthra-shiŋ 

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

thrashing

2 of 2

present participle of thrash entry 1

Examples of thrashing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The teenager, who has excelled for The Union by scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists in MLS this season, was called up to his first national camp this month and made his international debut in the US’ 4-1 thrashing of Peru on Saturday. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

The Chiefs began their season with consecutive conference victories — first a 31-10 thrashing of the Denver Broncos before a 33-30 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. — Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

Advanced signs include anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, extreme thirst paired with panic at the sight of fluids, heavy saliva and aggressive thrashing or biting. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

New Zealand declined — and carried out their haka in their changing room before delivering a 45-10 thrashing. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thrashing

• ashing
• bashing
• caching
• cashing
• clashing
• crashing
• dashing
• flashing
• gnashing
• hashing
• lashing
• mashing