trounce

[trouns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR trounce ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), trounced, trounc·ing.

to beat severely; thrash.

to punish.

to defeat decisively.

Nearby words

Origin of trounce

First recorded in 1545–55; origin uncertain

Related formstrounc·er, nounun·trounced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trounce

Most patriotic movies flaunt their pride by having America trounce foreign countries.
13 Most Patriotic Movies Ever: ‘Act of Valor,’ ‘Top Gun’ & More (VIDEO)|Melissa Leon|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As sure as turkey on a table, Tom Brady and the 7–3 Patriots will likely trounce Mark Sanchez and the woeful New York Jets.
A Dummies Guide to the NFL’s Thanksgiving Games|Sujay Kumar|November 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
On Fox News Sunday, he predicted Sharron Angle will trounce Harry Reid for the Nevada Senate seat.
October 17: 7 Best Moments From Sunday Talk|The Daily Beast Video|October 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The two were just playing, he said, and he was imitating television wrestlers who trounce their opponents.
Does an 11-Year-Old Deserve Life in Prison?|Anita Allen|February 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST

There will soon be fewer pirates for you to trounce, I hope, my lad.
Blackbeard: Buccaneer|Ralph D. Paine
Hate that old Don; used me very ill; wish I could trounce him.
Cecilia, Volume 3 (of 3)|Frances (Fanny) Burney (Madame d'Arblay)
Yet thereupon the actor dared, saying: "But for—others—I'd trounce you with it like a schoolmaster."
Gideon's Band|George W. Cable
This was the young man who, less than an hour ago, was vowing to trounce the author of "Ashes" for his gloomy view of life.
The Call of the Town|John Alexander Hammerton
Apollo proceeded to trounce the baby, with scant success, however, for Mercury persisted in his assumption of ignorance.
The Classic Myths in English Literature and in Art (2nd ed.) (1911)|Charles Mills Gayley

British Dictionary definitions for trounce

trounce

verb

(tr) to beat or defeat utterly; thrash

Word Origin for trounce

C16: of unknown origin

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

Word Origin and History for trounce

trounce

1550s, "to trouble, afflict, harass," later "to beat, thrash" (1560s), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Middle French troncer "to cut, cut off a piece from," from tronce "piece of timber," from Old French tronc (see trunk). Related: Trounced; trouncing.