trounce
Americanverb (used with object)
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to beat severely; thrash.
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to punish.
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to defeat decisively.
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has trouncedperfect 3rd person singular
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are trouncingprogressive
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have trouncedperfect
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has been trouncingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been trouncingperfect progressive
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trouncingparticiple
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is trouncingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am trouncingprogressive 1st person singular
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trouncessingular 3rd person
Past
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had trouncedperfect
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had been trouncingperfect progressive
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was trouncingprogressive singular
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were trouncingprogressive plural
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trouncedparticiple
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trouncedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of trounce
First recorded in 1545–55; origin uncertain
Explanation
When you trounce someone, you win decisively. If you win a chess match in three moves, you trounce your opponent. When a professional tennis player is in the midst of a tournament, she hopes to trounce her rival, and an ambitious speller might dream of the day she competes nationally and trounces all the other competitors. A victorious army can also be said to trounce the enemy. The origin of trounce is uncertain, though one theory has the French troncer, or "cut a piece off from," as its root.
Vocabulary lists containing trounce
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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.
This 'ere Sam Bonaday, tho' he came an' settled down i' these parts, was a bettermost body i' some ways, an' had a-seen a heap o' life 'long wi' ould Commodore Trounce.
From The Astonishing History of Troy Town by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir
The two-story wooden building in the middle of the block, between Trounce Alley and Fort Street, is the Hotel de France, kept by P. Manciet, and one of the two principal hotels of that day.
From Some Reminiscences of old Victoria by Fawcett, Edgar
The door opened as he spoke, and Mrs. Trounce entered.
From The Hero of Garside School by Panting, J. Harwood, (James Harwood)
For instance, now, the general writes to me, dear Serjeant, or dear Trounce, or dear Serjeant Trounce, according to his hurry, if your lieutenant does not demean himself accordingly, let me know.—
From St. Patrick's day, or, the scheming lieutenant : a farce in one act by Sheridan, Richard Brinsley
"I shall really have to ring the bell and send for Mrs. Trounce," said Paul firmly.
From The Hero of Garside School by Panting, J. Harwood, (James Harwood)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
