trounce

American

[trouns] / traʊns /

verb (used with object)

trounced, trouncing

to beat severely; thrash.
to punish.
to defeat decisively.

trounce British

/ traʊns /

verb

(tr) to beat or defeat utterly; thrash

"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

Other Word Forms

trouncer noun
untrounced adjective

Etymology

Origin of trounce

First recorded in 1545–55; origin uncertain

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.

Meanwhile, the sumptuous imagery and amiable pacing of “Wuthering Heights” trounce del Toro’s ghastly slog of a film.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

That makes it unlikely that precious metals can trounce stocks the way they did in the inflationary 1970s when gold delivered 15 times the S&P 500’s return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Note, JPMorgan and others have been pushing back at this retreat, defending solid fundamentals for gold, as they see “real assets” like commodities and real estate continuing to trounce stocks, bonds and cash.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid's 28 points helped the 76ers trounce the Washington Wizards 131-110.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

We are playing West Charleston High School and they think they’re coming down here to trounce the hicks.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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