thrash

Definition of thrashnext
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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 The Thursday before that, they were thrashed 4-0 at Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg — a defeat that prompted significant self-criticism and reflection on their style of play. Pol Ballús, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026 At one point he would be suspended by his boss for knocking down and thrashing a punkish street tough who jumped him in a minor riot of punters outside the legendary Clash stand at Manhattan’s ad hoc punk venue Bond’s. Fred Schruers, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026 Early one morning in late December, the sky was overcast on the waters off the coast of Dana Point, in Southern California’s Orange County, and still the scales of a thrashing six-pound bonito, reeled in by the chef Junya Yamasaki, shimmered brilliantly. Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026 The Patriots leaned on Los Angeles offensively and thrashed them on defense, circling Justin Herbert in the first half before swarming him for four sacks in the second. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash
Verb
  • Like your mother’s complacency, which was probably buried in your gene code somewhere.
    Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Said to be the first person buried on the hill that became Oakwood Cemetery, the city's oldest, he was killed while traveling between Bastrop and Austin.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The texture is thick and whipped, easy to glide on post-shower, and will help keep skin moisturized for hours.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Fresh fruit is tossed with a decadent mixture of cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and whipped topping that is ready in just 10 minutes.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Additionally, Greg likes nuts and cocoa, can toss a penny into a jar from across a room, and played minor league hockey, which will put him back on skates here.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • In the dream, of course, the victor is on offense, tossing away the bat with one arm raised.
    Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Two men were beaten outside a Santana Row restaurant on Sunday afternoon in an incident that is being investigated as a potential antisemitic hate crime, San Jose authorities said Tuesday.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • If Mexico beats Italy, the three teams will be knotted at 3-1 and the winners will be determined by a tiebreaker, with the team that allowed the most runs eliminated.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Over the past year, assaults against ICE personnel have risen 8,000%, according to the DHS, and federal police have opted to hide their faces and identities while working in public.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
  • An East Price Hill man is accused of hiding in wait before fatally shooting a woman at an Avondale apartment building, according to Cincinnati police.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And yet, Trump has also managed to avoid complex questions about those issues — the most pressing before his administration — and despite Democrats and some of his own supporters lashing out over them.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.
    Luke Barr, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Kearse twitched briefly after the lethal drugs began entering his system but stopped moving several minutes later.
    Freida Frisaro, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Levy brought the dog in dead and claimed that that the dog had a seizure and was vomiting, choking and twitching before his death.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrash. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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