flagellate

verb

ˈfla-jə-ˌlāt How to pronounce flagellate (audio)
Definition of flagellatenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of flagellate His only way of finding any kind of life for himself is to embrace evil, to stop running away from it, to try to stop morally flagellating himself. — Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for flagellate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flagellate
  1. whip
  2. hide
  3. slash
  4. horsewhip
  5. lash
  6. leather
  7. flail
  8. flog
Verb
  • Vanilla ice cream was layered with strawberry sauce, pound cake pieces, strawberry crunch, whipped topping and fresh strawberries, then served with cinnamon-sugar chips fried in-house.
    — Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
  • The next morning, the wind whipped the lake to a froth, making the crossing to the river’s outlet impossible.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of whip
Verb
  • Designers now hide microwaves in drawers, pantries, or built-ins for a cleaner look.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 14 July 2026
  • Thus, the light of much larger and brighter red dwarf stars is incredibly effective at hiding white dwarfs.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • And with a handful of film distributors siphoning a greater portion of box office revenue, the states argue that theaters will likely be forced to raise ticket prices and slash investments for larger screens, luxury seating and concessions.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
  • Warner dramatically reduced its own debt after slashing budgets, but is still tens of billions of dollars in the red, which helped set the stage for Paramount's unsolicited bid.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 July 2026
Definition of slash
Verb
  • In reality, Watson wasn’t a bar fighter or famous for horsewhipping cowboys.
    — Eliza McGraw, Smithsonian, 12 Mar. 2018
Definition of horsewhip
Verb
  • Three players cordon off opponents at the far edge of the six-yard box, which gives Trusty the time to take a touch and lash the ball home from close range.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The sun lashed everyone who arrived — some voluntarily, others hooked and lowered like cattle into the mines.
    — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026
Definition of lash
Verb
  • There was lace everywhere and leather too.
    — Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of leather
Verb
  • And regardless, such arrangements are unlikely to save a flailing labor market.
    — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
  • Then Mookie Betts drove him in with a comebacker over the mound and past flailing second baseman Edouard Julien.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of flail
Verb
  • The 1986 theatrical movie boldly killed off many of the franchise's most iconic characters in a bid to flog more toys.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of flog

Browse Nearby Words

flag
flagellate
flagellated
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Cite this Entry

“Flagellate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flagellate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flagellate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flagellate

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