thrash

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word thrash distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of thrash are brandish, flourish, swing, and wave. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

When can brandish be used instead of thrash?

While the synonyms brandish and thrash are close in meaning, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

When would flourish be a good substitute for thrash?

The words flourish and thrash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

When might swing be a better fit than thrash?

Although the words swing and thrash have much in common, swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

Where would wave be a reasonable alternative to thrash?

In some situations, the words wave and thrash are roughly equivalent. However, wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thrash Magnuson continued swinging at the officer’s face and thrashing his legs as the officer tried to get control of his arms. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2025 Japan Demolish Australian Defense Before the USA vs Colombia match, Japan faced Australia in the tournament opener, thrashing the Matildas 4-0. Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 In December, Como defeated Roma 2-0 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, and Premier League winner Ranieri addressed his upcoming challenge immediately after his side thrashed Monza on Monday. David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 This was the same Lille team who had beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and thrashed Feyenoord 6-1 en route to securing direct qualification for the Champions League last 16. Tom Williams, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thrash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash
Verb
  • Play defense straight up and Bueckers will bury them.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The structure is made of opus reticulatum—bricks laid in a diamond pattern—and contains a volcanic rock called tuff: details suggesting high status individuals were buried here, as Artnet News’ Richard Whiddington reports.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meister can often immediately identify on an MRI that a pitcher throws a sweeper—a hard slider that the pitcher whips to get about fifteen inches of horizontal movement from the ball.
    Lindsey Adler, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The moment, which made the episode’s final cut, occurs when Drummond whips Mark S. around and pushes him into a wall.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The race is being widely viewed as a must-win for Democrats who at the national level are still licking their 2024 election wounds, as well as a potential referendum on Trump and Musk.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Cora appears to enjoy the routine and happily lets the cat lick at the tufts of blonde hair on her head.
    Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Nathan tossed the black backpack into a trash can, Seraphine said.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The footage, captured at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, allegedly showed Ventura walking toward a bank of elevators as Combs chased after her, then grabbing her by the neck and tossing her to the floor before turning to violently kick her and grab her purse and suitcase.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The lucky player beat odds of 1-in-850,668, claiming the top prize March 28, a lottery official told McClatchy News.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Norton, a 5-1 underdog, breaks Ali’s jaw in the first round. 1975 — UCLA beats Kentucky 92-85 for its 10th NCAA basketball title under head coach John Wooden.
    Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The couple went viral in 2022 when food blogger Carissa Stanton moved into their former Venice, Calif., home and found old photographs of Dann and Karen hidden in the fireplace.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The shooter behind the 2023 Nashville elementary school attack that killed six people, including three children, had been obsessively planning it for years while hiding mental health issues from family and doctors, a police report released Wednesday reveals.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In early March, tropical storm Alfred battered Australia’s heavily populated east coast, lashing the region with damaging winds and heavy rain for several days as hundreds of thousands of homes in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales lost power.
    Edward Szekeres and Helen Regan, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • However, Cabello lashed out at U.S. authorities, accusing them of unjustly detaining and deporting Venezuelans under false claims of gang affiliations.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the footage, the faceless android is seen suspended from the ceiling, its limbs twitching and moving in an unsettlingly human-like manner.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
  • For example, dogs who love running might be twitching their paws while dreaming.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrash. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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