VocabDictionary

thrashing

/ˈθræʃɪŋ/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A severe beating or punishment; a decisive defeat in a contest or game.

Example Sentences:
  • The home team suffered a humiliating thrashing in the championship final.
  • He got a stern thrashing from his parents for breaking the window.
2.noun

Vigorous, uncontrolled, or violent movement.

Example Sentences:
  • The sudden thrashing of branches in the wind sounded like footsteps.
  • She woke up from a nightmare with the thrashing of her arms and legs.
3.verb

Present participle of thrash: to beat severely, move wildly, or (in computing) experience excessive paging without accomplishing much work.

Example Sentences:
  • The fish was thrashing about on the end of the line.
  • The server is thrashing because it ran out of physical memory.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “thrashing”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb 'thrash' (Old English 'þrescan', meaning to beat, strike, or thresh grain), combined with the present participle suffix '-ing'. Historically used in agriculture for beating grain to separate it from the husk, it evolved metaphorically to mean beating a person or decisively defeating an opponent.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine someone thrashing about wildly in the water like a fish out of water, making a huge splash.

Frequently Asked Questions About “thrashing

1. What is the meaning of “thrashing” in English?

In English, thrashing (noun) is defined as: “A severe beating or punishment; a decisive defeat in a contest or game.”.

2. How do you use “thrashing” in a sentence?

The home team suffered a humiliating thrashing in the championship final.

3. What are English synonyms of “thrashing”?

Common synonyms include:beating,defeat,flailing,lashing

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “thrashing”?

Derived from the verb 'thrash' (Old English 'þrescan', meaning to beat, strike, or thresh grain), combined with the present participle suffix '-ing'. Historically used in agriculture for beating grain to separate it from the husk, it evolved metaphorically to mean beating a person or decisively defeating an opponent.