thrash

American  

[thrash] / θræʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to beat soundly in punishment; flog.

   Synonyms:

   drub, maul

2. to defeat thoroughly.

   The home team thrashed the visitors.

3. Nautical. to force (a close-hauled sailing ship under heavy canvas) against a strong wind or sea.

4. thresh.

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verb (used without object)

1. to toss, or plunge about.

2. Nautical. to make way against the wind, tide, etc.; beat.

3. thresh.

noun

1. an act or instance of thrashing; beating; blow.

2. thresh.

3. Swimming. the upward and downward movement of the legs, as in the crawl.

4. British Slang. a party, usually with drinks.

verb phrase

1. thrash out / over to talk over thoroughly and vigorously in order to reach a decision, conclusion, or understanding; discuss exhaustively. Also thresh outover.

thrash British  

/ θræʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to beat soundly, as with a whip or stick

2. (tr) to defeat totally; overwhelm

3. (intr) to beat or plunge about in a wild manner

4. (intr) to move the legs up and down in the water, as in certain swimming strokes

5. to sail (a boat) against the wind or tide or (of a boat) to sail in this way

6. another word for thresh

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noun

1. the act of thrashing; blow; beating

2. informal a party or similar social gathering

Related Words

See beat.

Other Word Forms

• unthrashed adjective
• well-thrashed adjective

Etymology

Origin of thrash

before 900; Middle English thrasshen, variant of thresshen to thresh

Example Sentences

As he fumbles with his out-of-tune Flying V, looking ready to shred in a thrash band, the crowd cheers for his success despite his self-doubt.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

When the wind blows hard, and their branches and boughs thrash and creak, I am convinced they will topple over and cleave my home in twain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Their agreement with the White House does not address any of these demands but it gives Congress an extra two weeks to thrash out a deal.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Wu Yize produced a devastating exhibition of potting to thrash an out-of-sorts Xiao Guodong 6-0 as he progressed into the semi-finals of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

The guards lift me up above the fray, where I continue to thrash as I’m conveyed over the crush of people.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• beat up
• clobber
• crush
• defeat
• maul
• overwhelm
• paste
• pummel
• rout
• spank
• trounce
• whip