as in slitting
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
her face had been gashed by the rocks as she tumbled down the embankment
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 gashing
Both exploited weaknesses in the Rams defense, with Saquon Barkley gashing it in 2024 and Sam Darnold attacking its outside cornerbacks last season.
—
Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Bernie was sleeping next to the wall, and two claws had caught him on the hand, gashing his thumb and tearing through the web of flesh between thumb and forefinger.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Monangai rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries, while Swift had 125 yards on 18 touches, gashing an Eagles defense that has been one of the best in the NFL this season.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Alarm bells flashed early, as the Raiders came out in heavy doses of two-tight-end sets and started gashing the Broncos with rookie back Ashton Jeanty.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Bernie was sleeping next to the wall, and two claws had caught him on the hand, gashing his thumb and tearing through the web of flesh between thumb and forefinger.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Monangai rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries, while Swift had 125 yards on 18 touches, gashing an Eagles defense that has been one of the best in the NFL this season.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Alarm bells flashed early, as the Raiders came out in heavy doses of two-tight-end sets and started gashing the Broncos with rookie back Ashton Jeanty.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gashing
Verb
-
The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The light forced its way in, slicing past the shades in hot white ribbons that burned across the kitchen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The artist created these tabletop works by slicing disks of walnut into identically sized strips and reassembling the pieces to form undulating fans.—
Katherine Rochester,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One rabid mongoose bite later, and Ben is a skull-crushing, face-ripping menace terrorizing Lucy and her friends.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Workers began ripping out the 9-year-old artificial turf at Soldier Field.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Attributing the budget-slashing move to an overall decrease in enrollment caused by fluctuating demographics, restrictions on international students and skyrocketing tuition costs, the New School is becoming part of a trend across higher education.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Warsh has committed to slashing the Fed's balance sheet.—
Steve Liesman,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Huston’s come a long way from cutting hair near 87th Street and Wornall Road.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gashing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
