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.

See Examples For:

trash-talking

The uptick in digital heteropessimism Taylor references exists largely thanks to algorithm-driven platforms where gendered trash-talking of any kind is pure, uncut engagement bait.

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2026

Brundage found himself immersed in the online culture of trash-talking, memes, boyish jokes and, ultimately, hacking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

The stage puts a spotlight on smack-talk skills, functioning like a gym where wrestlers work out their character muscles, polish their submission holds and perfect their trash-talking chops in front of a panel of judges.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2026

However the trash-talking American was adamant on Friday that he has the tools to stop Joshua as the two men faced off in a promotional event for next month's Netflix special.

From Barron's ● Nov. 21, 2025

He learned how to talk a friendly form of smack, trash-talking his bigger, faster opponents on the court.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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