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Synonyms

slashing

American  
[slash-ing] / ˈslæʃ ɪŋ /

noun

  1. a slash.

adjective

  1. sweeping; cutting.

  2. violent; severe.

    a slashing wind.

  3. dashing; impetuous.

  4. vivid; flashing; brilliant.

  5. Informal. very large or fine; splendid.

    a slashing fortune.
slashing British  
/ ˈslæʃɪŋ /

adjective

  1. aggressively or harshly critical (esp in the phrase slashing attack )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • slashingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of slashing

First recorded in 1590–1600; slash 1 + -ing 1, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

UnitedHealth has been slashing benefits and exiting from unprofitable markets, moves that could help it beat estimates in its coming quarterly report.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"This will allow us to deliver a 'food & drink' trade deal worth £5.1bn a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has removed his Malibu mansion from the market—months after slashing $3 million from the property’s asking price.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

But those please went ignored when Rossi scored with the Ducks’ Chris Kreider in the penalty box for slashing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

I knew that if it hadn’t been for their loyalty and unselfish courage I would have probably been killed by the slashing claws of the devil cat.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.