as in hammering
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1
as in bumping
to come into usually forceful contact with something
the car bashed into the tree with glass-shattering force
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slamming
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
you have to bash that door hard in order to get it open
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in licking
to strike repeatedly
the angry child kept bashing her toy with a hammer until it broke
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in attacking
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
in all of talk radio no other host seems to enjoy bashing liberals as much as he does
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of bashing
Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Those optics gave Democrats, particularly the moderate gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia, room to run on the economy while largely steering clear of Trump-bashing.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
In 2025, for all the play’s bickering and bashing, the eventual trajectory of Art feels almost saccharine.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Dec. 2025
Although the gameplay feels more grounded and horizontal, id Software creates epic moments when the Doom Slayer will be flying through the air aboard a Wintherin or bashing building-sized demons in an Atlan mech.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
The annual Dakar Rally may be best known for the sandstorming, badlands-bashing trucks, buggies and motorcycles that compete within its map boundaries, but the event has also inspired some radical on- and off-road support rigs and RVs.
—New Atlas, 17 Dec. 2025
Still, after bashing Republicans for months on the urgency of averting the cost cliff, Democrats would also face their own pressures to swallow the policy changes in order to secure an extension of the subsidies — and relief for millions of Americans.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Yet there was freedom to trash bashing, a willingness to lose myself in the creative process, that was distinct from my feelings about writing.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Most recently, the White House featured the music of Carpenter's friend and collaborator Taylor Swift in a TikTok video celebrating the president, despite his history of bashing the singer on social media.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025
Hegseth’s friend and vocal supporter, Sean Parnell, who is now the Pentagon’s top spokesman, has adopted the same press-bashing approach.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Advertisement Although the Japan-China spat over Taiwan is a useful distraction from China’s economic woes, given that Japan-bashing plays well in the theater of nationalism, there are risks.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 30 Nov. 2025
Noun
In the same way that writing had taught me to pay attention to life, to perpetually hoover up sensory details and bits of dialogue around me, trash bashing cultivated a new propensity for seeing interesting possibilities in everyday items.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Those optics gave Democrats, particularly the moderate gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia, room to run on the economy while largely steering clear of Trump-bashing.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
In 2025, for all the play’s bickering and bashing, the eventual trajectory of Art feels almost saccharine.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
The emotional clip finds Justin and King sitting down in a home theater as soundbites and news articles bashing their father throughout the trial are played on a loop.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Dec. 2025
Although the gameplay feels more grounded and horizontal, id Software creates epic moments when the Doom Slayer will be flying through the air aboard a Wintherin or bashing building-sized demons in an Atlan mech.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
The annual Dakar Rally may be best known for the sandstorming, badlands-bashing trucks, buggies and motorcycles that compete within its map boundaries, but the event has also inspired some radical on- and off-road support rigs and RVs.
—New Atlas, 17 Dec. 2025
Still, after bashing Republicans for months on the urgency of averting the cost cliff, Democrats would also face their own pressures to swallow the policy changes in order to secure an extension of the subsidies — and relief for millions of Americans.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Yet there was freedom to trash bashing, a willingness to lose myself in the creative process, that was distinct from my feelings about writing.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Most recently, the White House featured the music of Carpenter's friend and collaborator Taylor Swift in a TikTok video celebrating the president, despite his history of bashing the singer on social media.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025
Hegseth’s friend and vocal supporter, Sean Parnell, who is now the Pentagon’s top spokesman, has adopted the same press-bashing approach.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Advertisement Although the Japan-China spat over Taiwan is a useful distraction from China’s economic woes, given that Japan-bashing plays well in the theater of nationalism, there are risks.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bashing
Noun
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The brand’s range features cultural designs made using a mix of traditional Chinese techniques, including hammering, carving, hollowing, filigree, embedding, and heat treatment of enamels.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 Nov. 2025
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The sound of hammering came from outside in the driveway, where some men were building a coffin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its four conference wins against bottom-tier teams have come by 33, 20, 10 and 42 points, bumping them from 78 to 50 in Kenpom and to 44 in the NET.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Not surprisingly, Robby’s reaction to bumping into Langdon is mostly anger.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was placed in concussion protocol Monday night after slamming his head against the turf in the team's win over the Steelers.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Brown said, noting that the officer slung his rifle around his back before grabbing and body-slamming the protester.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Other photos showed Owen proudly licking the faces of his owners and getting some hugs and pats from the reality star, her husband and children.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Chocolate Brownie Batter flavor was my first try, mostly because any brand that claims something tastes like licking brownie batter off the spoon must be challenged.—
Samantha Leal,
Refinery29,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The demonstrations intensified after a federal officer shot a Venezuelan man accused of fleeing a traffic stop and attacking an agent, federal officials said.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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After officers reached the person, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment and all three started attacking the officer, according to DHS.—
Steve Karnowski,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The 61-point win was UT's most-lopsided victory in a Big 12 or SEC game, besting a 90-39 thrashing of Texas Tech in 2018.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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The 6-0 thrashing was highlighted by a blitz of three goals in the span of 76 seconds, the latter two lamp-lighters coming just nine ticks apart.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The taint of being part of the cheating 2017 Astros has worn off over the years, and Cubs fans are banging the drum for Bregman’s arrival, excited to have an offensive upgrade from Matt Shaw, who can still learn a lot from playing multiple positions and watching from the bench.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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Carrick was banging this drum even as his tenure at Middlesbrough was coming to an end.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
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That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bashing. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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