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TAKE THE QUIZtrash talk
noun
: disparaging, taunting, or boastful comments especially between opponents trying to intimidate each other
Example Sentences
He had to listen to a lot of trash talk from the other players.
Recent Examples on the Web
It’s got drama, interesting characters and a little trash talk — the best kind, shared between close friends.
—
Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press, 29 May 2021
Despite that group representing seven WBC teams, there hasn’t been much trash talk in the clubhouse.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
Always a bit reserved, Ledecky now seems far more willing to speak up - even holding her own in good-natured trash talk with her male teammates, according to Nesty.
—CBS News, 30 Dec. 2022
Try telling that to the players who flung trash talk and clawed for loose balls and swatted away shots as a still-lively Westchester gym rocked in the fourth quarter.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022
The lead-up to the Chiefs game was intensified by trash talk from Chiefs safety Justin Reid, something Chase didn’t let slide before or during the victory on Sunday.
—Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 5 Dec. 2022
Often their outrage includes trash talk about librarians and board members.
—Martha Hickson, CNN, 31 Oct. 2022
The Chiefs defeated the Bengals 23-20, likely using the trash talk as extra motivation.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2023
But this sequel raises the ante – and the trash talk.
—cleveland, 29 Dec. 2022
See More
Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press, 29 May 2021
Despite that group representing seven WBC teams, there hasn’t been much trash talk in the clubhouse.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023
Always a bit reserved, Ledecky now seems far more willing to speak up - even holding her own in good-natured trash talk with her male teammates, according to Nesty.
—CBS News, 30 Dec. 2022
Try telling that to the players who flung trash talk and clawed for loose balls and swatted away shots as a still-lively Westchester gym rocked in the fourth quarter.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022
The lead-up to the Chiefs game was intensified by trash talk from Chiefs safety Justin Reid, something Chase didn’t let slide before or during the victory on Sunday.
—Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 5 Dec. 2022
Often their outrage includes trash talk about librarians and board members.
—Martha Hickson, CNN, 31 Oct. 2022
The Chiefs defeated the Bengals 23-20, likely using the trash talk as extra motivation.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2023
But this sequel raises the ante – and the trash talk.
—cleveland, 29 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trash talk.' 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
1981, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near trash talk
Cite this Entry
“Trash talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trash%20talk. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.
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