trounce
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to beat severely; thrash.
-
to punish.
-
to defeat decisively.
verb
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
Portugal, which is reeling from a battering by deadly storms, began voting in the second round of a presidential election on Sunday, with the moderate candidate expected to trounce his far-right rival.
From Barron's • Feb. 8, 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
No one had expected them to trounce the other two sixth grades, but they did.
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
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.
