trash-talking

American

[trash-taw-king] / ˈtræʃˌtɔ kɪŋ /

Or trash talking

noun

the act of using disparaging or boastful language, especially to demoralize or intimidate opponents.

Taunting, trash-talking, gloating, and cheap shots have become all too common in sports.

Etymology

Origin of trash-talking

An Americanism dating back to 1985–90

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.

If they gave out medals in financial trash talking, Warren Buffett would be on the podium.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

He is a sarcastic jokester who expresses love for his teammates by threading passes to them through pinhole-sized gaps in the defense and then trash talking them right soon after.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025

The Panthers boast three of the league’s most notorious pests on their roster, each of whom is renowned for trash talking, chippy hits, and enthusiastically physical play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2025

As she has done against previous opponents, Pena has tried to gain a mental advantage by trash talking in recent weeks - but Harrison believes it has helped her own stock rise.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025

“Kids today. They just don’t understand the finesse of trash talking, Kevin.”

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

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