as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
some medieval monks believed it was necessary to flagellate themselves in order to keep their desires in check
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flagellate
Please, more of Isabella lightly teasing Marty about his tendency to flagellate himself while considering the agony of the human condition.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
In recent times, the series has been painstakingly flagellating itself for the past.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
Stephens would do well to stop flagellating himself and the Never Trumpers and instead join democracy advocates in defending the rule of law in a dangerous new world.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Pop stars being badasses, as ever, but expressing doubt, and doing it without the flagellating self-destruction that might have come with an early iteration.
—Susannah Felts, Longreads, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flagellate
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
In recent times, the series has been painstakingly flagellating itself for the past.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
Stephens would do well to stop flagellating himself and the Never Trumpers and instead join democracy advocates in defending the rule of law in a dangerous new world.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Pop stars being badasses, as ever, but expressing doubt, and doing it without the flagellating self-destruction that might have come with an early iteration.
—Susannah Felts, Longreads, 27 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flagellate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flagellate
Verb
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The menu features Mediterranean delicacies, starting with mezze like hummus, muhammara (a walnut and red pepper dip) and whipped feta spreads.—
Connie Ogle
June 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
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Ospreay struck Strickland, who responded by whipping a chain at him.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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In fact, some are doing little to hide their skepticism – and, in some cases, outright frustration – with the memorandum of understanding, which White House officials hope to spin into a more lasting peace agreement and nuclear accord.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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The script hides serious moral and ethical conversations about fame, political violence, and powerful institutions amongst jokes about hashbrowns.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Keywords Studios is slashing 128 jobs in San Francisco.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
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Nor slashing domestic draft bonuses from last year’s payout of $401 million to $200 million.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Verb
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The Speccie’s star columnist is the rudest man in Christendom, the Godzilla of contumely, an all-time non-sufferer of fools who horsewhips his targets the way Hunter S. Thompson and Christopher Hitchens once did.—
Kyle Smith,
National Review,
23 Apr. 2020
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In reality, Watson wasn’t a bar fighter or famous for horsewhipping cowboys.—
Eliza McGraw,
Smithsonian,
12 Mar. 2018
Verb
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Criminal Minds star Paget Brewster is apologizing after lashing out at a critic.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 June 2026
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Photos of Hammett in the garment eventually caught the attention of Swifties, who lashed out at the guitarist on Reddit and social media.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2026
Verb
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There was lace everywhere and leather too.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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From Ikebana studios in Kyoto to leather workshops in Florence and tartan looms in Stirling, a growing number of trips now build entire itineraries around a single craft.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The keeper could do nothing but flail and then turn and scream in frustration at his defense’s failings at the crucial moment.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Quenton Jackson, Indiana (PG) Jackson is at a different stage than most players on this list, entering his age-28 season after a solid 49-game 2025-26 season for the flailing Pacers.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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And a few, like Giuliana Rancic, will flog some specific Pratt issues, like the brutal state of the city’s animal shelters.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
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That stickability probably owes as much to the franchise's unconventional toy-first origins as its unprecedented ability to flog merchandise.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flagellate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flagellate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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