trash talk

noun

: disparaging, taunting, or boastful comments especially between opponents trying to intimidate each other
trash-talk verb
trash-talker noun

Examples of trash talk in a Sentence

He had to listen to a lot of trash talk from the other players.
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.
Phoenix sabotaged a decent 2024 team by loading up personalities and Instagram stars; their season finished with their two leading females refusing to play with each other and very questionable effort levels on the court unless their stars were being motivated by trash talk. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Fantasy Football isn’t all about winning but also appreciating the camaraderie, trash talk and chaos of it all. Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2025 The episode jumps to a scene of Tamra, which suggests that hidden behind her trash talk and gossip there’s a sweet person in there. Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025 Roach is this group’s ringleader and the trash talk is all in good fun. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trash talk

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trash talk was in 1981

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trash talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trash%20talk. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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