thrash

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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

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 thrash As Oliver stands at the ready, swollen with Cathy's remains, Laura begins drowning a fighting and thrashing Piper. Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 May 2025 Those comments were made to reporters after Palace had been thrashed 5-2 by City in the Premier League in April. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 19 May 2025 The band then went on to play its way through the rest of the Village, cranking out cartoon theme song medleys between the sets as mostly white kids thrashed in the crowd. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2025 Fighters began thrashing the passengers with camel-hide whips. Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for thrash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash
Verb
  • The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the President and the successful mission.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • So rather than bury them behind clunky steps and legalese, bring them forward with clarity and care.
    Sal Rehmetullah, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The San Diego native whipped a low cross into the box, which both Adriana Leon and Ascanio narrowly missed.
    Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Chelsea took the lead on 13 minutes when Neto raced away from deep inside the Flamengo half and opened his body before whipping the ball past Agustin Rossi.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Two new friends spent the afternoon chatting, licking our deliciously unexpected delights and beginning a life-long bond.
    Susan Cunningham Euker, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
  • The viral post opens with a quiet, intimate moment: the Labrador sits beside her puppy, gently licking her head.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • For weeks, social media has been flooded with videos of federal agents, their faces often shrouded by masks, violently arresting bystanders who are filming their actions, dragging a taco stand vendor by her arm and tossing smoke bombs into a crowd of angry onlookers.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • They’re rolled across bathroom floors, stored in public bins at TSA checkpoints, and tossed into airplane cargo holds.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • With the leadership of head coach John Reese and a starting five packed with talent, the Pioneers became the team to beat in Texas.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
  • Increase mixer speed to medium, and beat until thickened and pipeable, about 1 to 2 minutes (do not overmix).
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The first iteration of Somni opened in 2018 inside the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, a restaurant hidden inside of José Andrés’s Bazaar, but closed in 2020 as a pandemic casualty.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 June 2025
  • Transparency is another issue: Pricing for procedures varies wildly and is often hidden until the bill arrives.
    Paulina Wierzbicka, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Forecasters said Erick was expected over the coming hours to lash Mexico’s Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge.
    Luis Alberto Cruz, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • The White House previously lashed out at the CBO after its initial report on the bill, attacking an office traditionally seen as nonpartisan that provides budget analysis for lawmakers in both parties.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Animated objects tend to activate the deeply rooted human impulse to perceive things that move as alive—a tendency harnessed to great effect in the uncannily twitching wires of Pol Bury’s reliefs or Robert Breer’s creeping domes.
    Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • The early symptoms include muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, stiff muscles, speech challenges, trouble swallowing, and drooling.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrash. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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