shellacking 1 of 2

noun

shə-ˈla-kiŋ How to pronounce shellacking (audio)
Definition of shellackingnext
as in defeat
failure to win a contest suffered a shellacking at the hands of a vastly superior opposition

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shellacking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shellac
as in whipping
to defeat by a large margin the local football team was shellacked 35-0 in their final outing for the season

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shellacking
Noun
But those utterly non-competitive back-to-back shellackings at the hands of the Oilers and Ducks this week? — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2026 With the second-round shellacking, Texas is in the Sweet 16 round for the fifth time in head coach Vic Schaefer's six-year tenure. — Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
Not many losses will be as loud as the 139-96 shellacking the Thunder (61-16) handed the Lakers (50-27) at Paycom Center – the type of loss that takes some of the steam out of the Lakers’ 15-2 March surge. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026 Yin was 3-for-3 and had four RBIs in Monta Vista 32-0 shellacking over Jefferson. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shellacking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shellacking
  1. defeat
  2. whipping
  3. loss
  4. bombing
  5. beating
  6. drubbing
  7. setback
  8. overcoming
Noun
  • After Japan’s defeat in WWII, there was a deliberate effort to democratize the nation and defang its intelligence community.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The quick, decisive defeat marked Rome’s final domination of the peninsula and solidified their influence over regional trade and military routes.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Iguanas usually go viral for other reasons Iguanas are usually quick-moving and run away from their would-be captors with their long tails whipping behind them.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • The attorney questioned whether a person would be able to smell alcohol at the same time that wind generated by 18-wheelers and other vehicles whipping by on the highway was blowing, as was occurring during the officer’s time with Hampton.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of whipping
Noun
  • More than 2 million acres had burned, the center said – that’s twice the previous 10-year average for the period, and the highest loss in 14 years.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Skubal took the loss in the decisive Game 5 of the division series against Cleveland in 2024 and then got a no-decision in a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the division series last year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of loss
Verb
  • When America and Israel started bombing Iran, our military bombed an elementary school, killing more than 160 children.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • French officials condemned the damage to the ancient monastery, comparing it to bombing Notre-Dame, while Ukrainian religious leaders called it a crime against humanity.
    — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of bombing
Noun
  • Investigators allege the beatings occurred after the pledge failed to correctly answer questions about the fraternity.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026
  • Those who oppose the Mexican Mafia, or fail to follow the edicts of the gang’s leaders, are often targeted for beatings or even death.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 22 July 2026
Definition of beating
Verb
  • The mighty Mariners, who mashed five solo home runs at raucous T-Mobile Park, clinched their title by drubbing Major League Baseball’s doormat, aka the Colorado Rockies, 9-2.
    — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Definition of drubbing
Noun
  • The finding appears to be a setback to Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, which has typically focused on overhauling nutrition guidance while neglecting food safety and infectious diseases.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
  • The Toronto Blue Jays' pitching depth has taken yet another hit amid a season of disappointing healthy setbacks for the club.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of setback
Verb
  • The biggest event in the sporting calendar drew to a close at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as Spain were crowned world champions for the second time, overcoming Argentina in one of the most dominant finals in recent memory.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Emotional intelligence, particularly self-awareness, is crucial to overcoming it.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of overcoming

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Cite this Entry

“Shellacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shellacking. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of shellacking for Spanish Speakers

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