Thesaurus results for FLAGELLATING

flagellating

verb

present participle of flagellate

as in whipping

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 flagellating Some go further, flagellating themselves or using a sword to strike their forehead to draw blood. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flagellating

Verb

In whipping rain and wind in New Jersey, the New York Giants held on for a 12-7 win in their first game since quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez floated a ball over Ezri Konsa to Rogers, who exchanged passes with Joao Pedro before shifting sharply onto his right foot and whipping a shot just wide of David Raya’s far post.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of whipping

Verb

This is precisely why one of your first purchases this season should be a fall jacket for women that complements and enhances your outfit, rather than hiding it.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
All told, the McCauleys stole at least $12 million, getting creative in hiding cash — by stuffing it into jars of spaghetti sauce, for example.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hiding

Verb

But Milei is trying to recast Argentina as a destination for foreign wealth, slashing public spending, dismantling regulations and courting investment in the country's vast oil and mineral resources.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
States have already started slashing caregivers’ pay and other critical disability services in anticipation of Medicaid cuts that will roll out next year.

— STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of slashing

Verb

These are just two of the many scenes of destruction the hurricane has left in Hawaii after lashing the state’s western islands with heavy rain, widespread flooding and tropical-storm-force winds on Monday and Tuesday.

— Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
This week’s meeting of G20 finance ministers underscored rising global trade tensions, with several countries, including the US, lashing out at China.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of lashing

Verb

He’s getting hit sometimes, and just flicking this ball out there.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The Half-Mast The first sign that a deer is troubled comes when that long tail goes to half-mast—straight out behind—and stays rigid for a few seconds before dropping and then flicking right back up.

— Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of flicking

Verb

So, why now, halfway through the first take of the shoot, was Axl flailing his arm like a windmill with his jacket hurling around through space like a lasso?

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
Much of the time, you’re left to put up with untrained screen actors not knowing where to stand or look, or who don’t know not to block the camera’s view with flailing hands.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of flailing

Verb

The Taliban bans filming in public areas where flogging as well as stoning takes place, but MA says that individuals who oppose the practice have been discretely filming these events, then posting the video.

— Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026
Rubin, who has built a business flogging sports merchandising and collectibles, is renowned for his annual White Party in the exclusive Hamptons, near New York City.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of flogging

Verb

Iran has tried to push world energy prices higher with attacks on the region's oil shipping routes; the United States, in turn, has aimed to wreck Iran's economy by blockading its ports since June and slapping it with increasingly tough sanctions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
The officers walked over to the man and told him to place his hands behind his back, slapping him in cuffs in front of customers and coworkers.

— Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of slapping

Browse Nearby Words

flagellates

flagellating

flagged

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“Flagellating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flagellating. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flagellating

verb

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