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 In the women’s draw, ninth seed Emma Navarro was thrashed 6-0, 6-1 by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in just 57 minutes. George Ramsay, CNN Money, 26 May 2025 Aledo thrashes down Amarillo, advances in Class 5A Division I Bearcat baseball, after a walk-off win on Thursday, made sure the pressure was off in the final moments of a Class 5A Division I regional semifinal series. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025 The bruin straddled him with all four legs and thrashed Bentzel’s head repeatedly before trying to roll him. Benjamin Alva Polley, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025 Officials The gator thrashed and tipped the canoe over, throwing both the husband and wife into the water, fish and wildlife officials said. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for thrash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash
Verb
  • The authority said its preliminary assessment is that three excavators and six trucks were buried by the landslide.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Years later, the two had a poolside sit-down at a Los Angeles hotel to bury the hatchet and the two-hour conversation still wasn’t enough to patch things up, Francesa said.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • The suspect, who sported pink hair and several face piercings, got into the 68-year-old victim’s cab around 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, pretending to be a customer, but instead whipped out a knife and demanded the victim’s property, according to cops.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
  • For example, defendants in this state are allowed to hire experts to lie and the defense can then whip the public into a frenzy by promoting the lies.
    Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The flames that licked through the football fields and tennis courts at Pali High devoured touchstones of an iconic campus—featured in films like Carrie and Freaky Friday.
    Simmone Shah, Time, 5 June 2025
  • Besides, Angela already got her lick back from Porsha’s comments about Charles by instigating the already precarious relationship between Porsha and her bestie and bringing Drew the news that Porsha filmed with Dennis.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Another tossed a traffic cone into the vehicle’s windshield, damaging it.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
  • Winner: Lenovo Legion Go S Tech Specs: Upscaling Is the Secret Sauce Gaming handhelds have to do it all—support the latest and greatest games while maintaining a form factor that can be tossed into your bookbag.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • This, in turn, provoked police to wade into the crowd, beating people with nightsticks.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 10 June 2025
  • Gordon mentions beating the Bears’ rivals as one of his key team goals for the 2025 season.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • How Was Antonio Navarro Murdered? At 7:30 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 16, 2017, as Antonio was leaving for work, Salvador hid in the couple’s building garage, according to TIME.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Ukraine was able to smuggle drones deep into Russia by hiding them in the tops of flatbed trucks, which parked near military bases before the drones lifted off to attack planes on the runway.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The hostilities began when Trump lashed out at Musk's criticism of the Republican tax-cut and spending bill, and quickly escalated into an all-out online brawl on Trump's Truth Social and Musk's X, with prominent businessmen, analysts and political names weighing in on the fight.
    Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 June 2025
  • Bosses who lash out to get workers in line, by contrast, often feel a sense of accomplishment.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • An input lag of 4.6 milliseconds in the TV's dedicated Game mode is speedy enough for twitch reflexes, and the panel refreshes at 120Hz and supports variable refresh rates.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
  • The sight of his twitching arm, middle finger raised, is a fun touch to an otherwise-underwhelming send-off.
    Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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