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.
With both coaches having already matched up at previous schools, the trash talk started early. Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026 Hawkins joked that Heckel is usually the instigator of any trash talk between them, but there hasn’t been much jawing ahead of Monday’s second-round NCAA Tournament game. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026 A whole lot of trash talk — in English now. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026 Franklin also ruffled a few feathers within the organization in recent years with his frequent podcast appearances that often included trash talk directed at other teams and players. Dianna Russini, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trash talk

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trash talk was in 1978

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trash talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trash%20talk. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster