THRASH Synonyms: 222 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

thrash

verb

ˈthrash

Definition of thrash

as in to bury

to defeat by a large margin the incumbent has been thrashing his opponents for so long that there's never any real contest for the Senate seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to whip

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible thrashed the poor horse with a riding crop

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly the tree branches thrashed the sides of the house as the storm continued to rage

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to toss

to make jerky or restless movements in obvious pain, the wounded soldier thrashed about his cot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 recent local elections Labour was thrashed by the upstart Reform UK Party. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Critics and fanboy media thrashed Supergirl not just for its Guardians of the Galaxy touchstones, but also for aping Mad Max. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026 True Americans are committed to defending the Constitution while denouncing any president who wants to thrash it. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 On Tuesday, Uzbekistan was soundly thrashed by Portugal 5-0 — significantly reducing the country's chances to qualify for the next round of play in this World Cup, the first ever for a Central Asian nation. — Charles Maynes, NPR, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrash

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash

Verb

But instead of trying to make the turn, Diene laid the ball off for Baker, who buried a one-timer into the left side of the net.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
In addition, the group plans to bury a time capsule on July 4 in Philadelphia to be opened on America's 500th birthday in 2276.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of bury

Verb

Scotland carried the ball for 13 phases to enter Argentina's 22 and Hutchinson whipped an accurate long pass to Tuipulotu on the right wing who scored untouched.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Olise kept his intentions hidden to the last, shaping up to cross the ball to the back post before sharply turning his hips and whipping his pass into the goalscorer’s path, breaking two defensive lines along the way.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of whip

Verb

Contreras was tossed immediately, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton, interim manager Chad Tracy and Washington pitcher Miles Mikolas were all sent to the showers early.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Guardians rookie Cooper Ingle made a routine catch last night and tossed the ball into the stands.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

Emanuel Sharp, Isaiah Stevens and Marquel Sutton led the way as the Kings rallied to beat the Golden State Warriors Blue 91-85 on Sunday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
Egypt made its way to the round of 16 by beating Australia on penalties.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of beat

Verb

For loungability there’s a king bed, a hide-a-bed sofa, a fireplace and theater seats.

— Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026
When Fluffy failed to come out of hiding after 24 hours, Melissa Kirby and her husband began making and posting missing cat posters around their neighborhood.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

There is something cultish about that idea — the player who tends not to start but has the knack to appear later on with antennae twitching, ready to seize the day and alter the course of a match.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Leon Stetson was allegedly twitching, so officers moved him away from Carrie Stetson and started to render medical aid.

— Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Definition of twitch

Browse Nearby Words

thralls

thrash

thrashed

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“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thrash. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of thrash

verb

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Synonyms of thrash

verb

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Phrases Containing thrash

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on thrash

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Games & Quizzes