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

Relevance

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

Now imagine whipping your phone out after work, telling the world about it, and landing a brand deal worth $10K or more.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Now imagine the same hot and dry conditions, but with the Santa Anas whipping at 40 miles an hour.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of whipping

Verb

The Manhunters rebelled against the Guardians, and most were killed; the sole survivor is hiding out in Rushville disguised as a human.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
But this is in fact the opportunity hiding inside the greatest technological acceleration of our lifetimes.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hiding

Verb

The city of Hollywood hosted a public meeting to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Amendment 3, a ballot proposal aimed at drastically slashing property taxes.

— Ted Scouten, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
McAvoy missed the first six games of the season as punishment for slashing Buffalo’s Zach Benson late in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs last season when the Bruins got eliminated.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of slashing

Verb

Most of the students were accused of minor offenses, like making threats, using cannabis vapes or lashing out at classmates or teachers, the analysis found.

— Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026
More students ages 10 to 13 are ending up in the justice system after vaping, making threats and lashing out at school.

— Rosie Cima, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of lashing

Verb

Coming for a variety of longtime critics of the merger, opposition rose and suspicion about the settlement served to pour gasoline on an already flicking fire.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
He’s getting hit sometimes, and just flicking this ball out there.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of flicking

Verb

Seventh inning —That was an at-bat from the last season version of Pages, flailing at a pitch way out of the zone.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The second-best moment came in Ireland to start this season, when UNC held on to beat what now looks like a flailing TCU team in a rematch.

— David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 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

Less than three months after that deal was announced in January 2022, Smith became an industry pariah after slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, earning a 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.

— News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of slapping

Browse Nearby Words

flagellates

flagellating

flagged

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flagellating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flagellating. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of flagellating

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vocation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes