Synonyms of thrash

thrash

verb

ˈthrash 

1

as in to bury

to defeat by a large margin

the incumbent has been thrashing his opponents for so long that there's never any real contest for the Senate seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bury
• whip
• beat
• overcome
• throw
• bomb
• clobber
• trounce
• smother
• rout
• master
• annihilate
• upset
• flatten
• dust
• blow away
• trim
• cream
• whup
• drub
• skin
• wallop
• smoke
• snow under
• take
• overwhelm
• top
• paste
• wax
• sweep
• whap
• shellac
• whomp
• destroy
• conquer
• surpass
• score
• run rings around
• dispatch
• exceed
• succeed
• lick
• whop
• skunk
• eat alive
• beat the pants off
• tromp
• run circles around
• crush
• best
• worst
• cap
• subdue
• better
• wipe the floor with
• slaughter
• wipe the ground with
• finish
• vanquish
• win (against)
• outdo
• overthrow
• subjugate
• overbear
• triumph (over)
• surmount
• overpower
• prevail (over)
• transcend
• upend
• hurdle
• excel
• knock over
• outstrip
• outdistance
• outshine
• eclipse
• overtop
• overmatch
• break
• ace (out)
• flourish
• edge (out)
• knock off
• outfight
• sink
• pip
• nose out
• do in

2

as in to whip

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible

thrashed the poor horse with a riding crop

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whip
• hide
• slash
• flick
• spank
• flail
• lash
• leather
• slap
• hit
• switch
• lick
• flog
• knock
• flagellate
• scourge
• cut
• horsewhip
• maul
• punch
• bang
• whale
• tan
• smack
• cowhide
• birch
• bat
• rawhide
• beat
• pound
• whack
• thump
• strap
• swipe
• clip
• clap
• cane
• swat
• quirt
• pummel
• club
• box
• cudgel
• clobber
• smite
• bop
• bludgeon
• knout
• bash
• touch up
• pelt
• slug
• rough
• hammer
• crack
• mangle
• paddle
• thwack
• drub
• sock
• clout
• thresh
• lambast
• batter
• blackjack
• wallop
• slate
• lambaste
• bung
• cuff
• whup
• buffet
• belt
• work over
• paste
• slog
• bust
• lather
• pistol-whip
• lam
• baste
• lace
• pommel
• whop
• fustigate
• whap
• belabor
• tromp
• fib

3

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

the tree branches thrashed the sides of the house as the storm continued to rage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• lash
• beat
• pound
• whip
• hide
• thump
• spank
• attack
• slap
• smash
• hit
• knock
• pelt
• assault
• do
• batter
• slam
• pummel
• maul
• punch
• bat
• bludgeon
• chop
• bash
• hammer
• club
• drub
• paddle
• raid
• smack
• lambast
• thresh
• flog
• punch out
• slate
• lambaste
• curry
• whup
• buffet
• work over
• switch
• wallop
• slog
• belt
• tan
• whack
• whale
• storm
• birch
• lather
• box
• rough (up)
• lace
• pommel
• baste
• beat up on
• whop
• wound
• swipe
• whap
• tromp
• belabor
• bung up
• fib
• rush
• swat
• clobber
• crack
• mess (up)
• assail
• cudgel
• descend (on or upon)
• thwack
• leather
• strap
• lay on
• clout
• sock
• whomp
• jump (on)
• lacerate
• beset
• flagellate
• paste
• cane
• cuff
• pounce (on or upon)
• scourge
• horsewhip
• gore
• wham
• bust
• lam
• mutilate
• cowhide
• mangle
• rawhide
• maim
• blackjack
• pistol-whip
• fustigate

4

as in to toss

to make jerky or restless movements

in obvious pain, the wounded soldier thrashed about his cot

Synonyms & Similar Words

• toss
• twitch
• fidget
• squirm
• jerk
• twist
• fiddle
• writhe
• wiggle
• shake
• tremble
• shiver
• thresh
• wriggle
• jig
• jiggle
• shudder
• flutter
• flit
• quiver
• squiggle
• quake
• pace
• twitter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• relax
• calm (down)
• unwind
• still

Synonym Chooser

How is the word thrash distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of thrash are brandish, flourish, swing, and wave. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

When can brandish be used instead of thrash?

While the synonyms brandish and thrash are close in meaning, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

When would flourish be a good substitute for thrash?

The words flourish and thrash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

When might swing be a better fit than thrash?

Although the words swing and thrash have much in common, swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

Where would wave be a reasonable alternative to thrash?

In some situations, the words wave and thrash are roughly equivalent. However, wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thrash

Eagles and trumpeter swans are migrating, and bull elks thrash trees and loudly bugle, while showcasing their impressive antlers in the hope of snaring a mate. —AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025

Other videos posted by the witness show a whale swimming around the shallow waters and violently thrashing its tail. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2025

Newcastle was thrashed 4-0, with Isak not involved in the squad; the Sweden striker has been training with his team-mates in Austria this week, but there is nothing particularly abnormal about an absence such as his. —Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

Djokovic thrashed the 36-year-old Austalian 6-1 6-0 in 53 minutes. —Sybille De La Hamaide, Reuters, 3 Aug. 2024

Phrases Containing thrash

• thrash (out)