thrash

[thrash]

verb (used with object)

1. to beat soundly in punishment; flog.

   Synonyms: drub, maul

2. to defeat thoroughly.

   The home team thrashed the visitors.

3. Nautical.,  to force (a close-hauled sailing ship under heavy canvas) against a strong wind or sea.

4. thresh.

verb (used without object)

1. to toss, or plunge about.

2. Nautical.,  to make way against the wind, tide, etc.; beat.

3. thresh.

noun

1. an act or instance of thrashing; beating; blow.

2. thresh.

3. Swimming.,  the upward and downward movement of the legs, as in the crawl.

4. British Slang.,  a party, usually with drinks.

verb phrase

1. thrash out / over,  to talk over thoroughly and vigorously in order to reach a decision, conclusion, or understanding; discuss exhaustively. Also thresh outover.

thrash

/ θræʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to beat soundly, as with a whip or stick

2. (tr) to defeat totally; overwhelm

3. (intr) to beat or plunge about in a wild manner

4. (intr) to move the legs up and down in the water, as in certain swimming strokes

5. to sail (a boat) against the wind or tide or (of a boat) to sail in this way

6. another word for thresh

noun

1. the act of thrashing; blow; beating

2. informal,  a party or similar social gathering

Other Word Forms

• unthrashed adjective
• well-thrashed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrash¹

before 900; Middle English thrasshen, variant of thresshen to thresh

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrash¹

Old English threscan; related to Old High German dreskan, Old Norse thriskja

Synonym Study

See beat.

Example Sentences

England's quarter-final place is already assured but head coach John Mitchell has picked a near first-choice side, with 13 changes from the rotated side that thrashed Samoa last weekend.

From BBC

This latest one-day international thrashing at Headingley, the third in a row in the format after those two in India and Pakistan, will not cause such searching of the soul.

From BBC

At the time there were indications the occasion could be used to thrash out a deal for Guehi but it is understood no significant discussions took place at Wembley.

From BBC

Three boundaries came in his first over and his opening four-over spell cost 56 as he was thrashed to all parts by Markram, who made his lively pace look gentle with effortless, classical hitting.

From BBC

To keep the sessions spontaneous, he didn't finish any of the "16 or 17" songs he'd written, preferring to thrash out the arrangements in the studio with his touring band.

From BBC

Related Words

• beat up 
• clobber 
• crush 
• defeat 
• maul 
• overwhelm 
• paste 
• pummel 
• rout 
• spank 
• trounce 
• whip