bashing

American  

[bash-ing] / ˈbæʃ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of beating, whipping, or thrashing.

   a series of unsolved bashings and robberies.

2. a decisive defeat.

   We gave the visiting team a good bashing.

3. (used in combination)

   1. unprovoked physical assaults against members of a specified group.

      gay-bashing.

   2. verbal abuse, as of a group or a nation.

      feminist-bashing; China-bashing.

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-bashing British  

combining form

1. informal

   1. indicating a malicious attack on members of a particular group

      queer-bashing

      union-bashing

   2. indicating any of various other activities

      Bible-bashing

      spud-bashing

      square-bashing

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Other Word Forms

• -basher combining form

Etymology

Origin of bashing

First recorded in 1725–35; bash + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Jack Osbourne, the youngest child of Ozzy Osbourne, lashes back at Roger Waters’ bashing of the “Prince of Darkness” and his music.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

That hasn’t stopped Brad Reese from championing the candy—or bashing the owner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

"We have heard a lot of European bashing in the last few days," Lagarde said at the closing session of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in the Swiss Alps.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

In desperate instances like this, when I’m truly flying blind, I have no alternative but to turn to the same A.I. tools that I just spent the first half of this essay bashing.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

“Joyfully engaged in bashing the stocks of the companies he covered. Whatever he’s thinking, it comes out of his mouth.”

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis