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

These songs made their scenes indelible, from classic rock and dance pop to old-timey blues and thrash.

From Los Angeles Times

The silver mechanical creature then starts thrashing around violently, to gasps and exclamations from spectators at the installation, designed to probe humanity's relationship with increasingly realistic machines.

From Barron's

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

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said the thrashing was a measure of revenge for Minnesota's loss to the Thunder in last year's Western Conference finals.

From Barron's

Barcelona came from behind to thrash FC Copenhagen 4-1 and qualify directly for the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday in fifth place of the league phase.

From Barron's

Related Words

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