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 Mikel Arteta’s side thrashed Leeds United 5-0 in August, Nottingham Forest 3-0 in September and Atletico Madrid 4-0 in October. Dean Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2026 While critics have been tough on the Finnish director’s blending of human sentiment and thrashing violence and pyrotechnics, audiences know his brand – consciously or unconsciously. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026 The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil. Maria Braganini, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026 The video showed that during the second time, the dog latched onto Evans’ left forearm and violently thrashed as Evans cried out in pain. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash
Verb
  • The widow has had to tolerate enough of this woman and her husband’s affair and should be allowed to bury him in peace.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Kai Havertz had buried the first shot of the game into PSG’s net, giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute of the game.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • The wind whipped her face and her little legs stretched higher and higher, pulling her into orbit.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
  • Last month, as a steady, pre-rainy season wind whipped off the Atlantic Ocean, the sounds of samba, morna and jazz filled the streets.
    Ricci Shryock, NPR, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • When the tiffin is returned licked clean, Ila sends another meal but with a note, leading to a rich correspondence between the two.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
  • Just outside the room, Hadley eagerly licked it up.
    Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • The third-base umpire tossed Angels reliever Brent Suter and Rays pitchers Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodríguez from the late-afternoon game at Tropicana Field.
    Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
  • Various objects had been tossed from the two-level porch and lay scattered across the grass.
    Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Supposedly the poem was inspired by a peyote-vision where the edifice of San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel was transformed into a hideous, twisted, demonic visage, which inspired the beating heart of Howl’s second section.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Matt Olson’s solo home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference Tuesday as the Braves beat the visiting Blue Jays 4-3 at Truist Park, beginning the three-game series with their 15th series-opening victory of the season.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • If not too bad, it can be ignored and new growth should hide the blemishes.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
  • Buddy was hiding in the bushes on the side of a desolate highway when he was found by a good Samaritan and brought to a rescue.
    Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • This torturous ordeal marked Mee’s first time entering this cave, located in the foothills of a mining project near the village of Long Tieng, hours away from the nearest cities and on muddy roads that have been lashed by the rainy season.
    Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
  • Putin is lashing out by intensifying assaults on civilian targets, especially in the capital city of Kyiv.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Many a club’s board would have twitched in the face of the bare data, but the chain of command above Arteta stayed the course, and the FOMO is so high that tickets for Palace away this weekend are going for £45,000 ($60,000) on resale sites.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • It’s not made explicitly clear if these seemingly sympathetic kids are actually his worst bullies, but Machado-Graner’s eyes, lip twitch, and throat gulp in this short sequence tell a whole story in themselves.
    Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrash. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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