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
Example Sentences
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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
-
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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Bolstering that pair — or, even better, the second pair, and bumping down rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka to the third — would go a long way toward solidifying the blue line.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The notice also says the positions involved aren’t tied to a union, so bumping rights don’t apply.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Others, like Ava Louise, do it through viral media stunts, like flashing the New York-Dublin Portal or licking a toilet seat in the beginning of the Covid pandemic.—
Taylor Lorenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement is a federal crime.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
What now is the difference between the United States attacking Venezuela in order to install new leadership and Russia invading Ukraine to effect annexation and leadership change?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 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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One woman carried a flag for Palestine, while a man banging a cowbell hung a flag of communist Cuba on his backpack.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 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 10 Jan. 2026.
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