shellackings

noun

plural of shellacking
as in defeats
failure to win a contest suffered a shellacking at the hands of a vastly superior opposition

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shellackings
  1. defeats
  2. losses
  3. setbacks
  4. beatings
Noun
  • Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday, a move that was tied to the GOP's midterm defeats, CBS News reported.
    — Donald Trump, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Neither Miller nor Gomez referenced the allegations against them in statements issued after their defeats.
    — Anna Liss-Roy, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of defeats
Noun
  • With House Republicans looking for a scapegoat after their midterm losses, the impeachment vote could pick up votes on the right, too.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Hartford gave up three goals in 17 minutes and then were out-kicked in a penalty shootout, 5-4, to lose in devastating fashion– one of those losses that will stick with diehard fans for a long time.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of losses
Noun
  • The goalkeeper, who missed much of the season with an injury and endured setbacks during his recovery, has his own reason to cherish one more appearance.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • After years of hype, controversy and a string of high-profile setbacks, Tesla's Cybertruck is heading toward the end of the road.
    — Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of setbacks
Noun
  • The indictment describes alleged incidents involving electric shocks, simulated drowning, beatings and other abuses at Venezuelan detention facilities.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Gershkovich was not subject to beatings, solitary confinement, or torture.
    — Terry Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of beatings
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.

Browse Nearby Words

shellacking
shellackings
shellacs
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Cite this Entry

“Shellackings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shellackings. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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