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 All married slap bass to thrash guitar, but if most of their cohort alternated rapping and belting on the vocal front, Primus trotted out Claypool as more of a hyperliterate carnival barker. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 Then its arms swing harder and its entire body begins thrashing. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Denis Bouanga scored two goals, Son Heung-min scored in his third consecutive match since the World Cup break, and Los Angeles FC thrashed Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday night for its fourth consecutive victory. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 Denis Bouanga scored two goals, Son Heung-min scored in his third consecutive match since the World Cup break, and LAFC thrashed Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday night for its fourth consecutive victory. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrash

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash

Verb

These included a child buried face down, a skeleton positioned as in a crucifixion, graves with stones placed around the skull as if to prevent biting or movement, as well as other graves with sickles and padlocks.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
As the Danube waters shrank in Bulgaria, researchers were thrilled to find and recover a jawbone, tusks, a shoulder blade, ribs and other bone fragments belonging to an extinct woolly mammoth buried deep in the sand.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bury

Verb

If a recipe calls for 1 cup (unwhipped) whipping cream, substitute 2 cups whipped dessert topping, such as Cool Whip.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
The first drops of espresso are vigorously whipped with sugar into a thick espumita froth inside the cup, before the rest is poured in, causing the caramelly-brown foam to rise to the top.

— Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Verb

Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Photos like the one below show children licking massive ice blocks for a slight reprieve from the summer heat.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

Luis Arraez homered, Garrett Stubbs had two hits and an RBI and Aaron Nola tossed seven strong innings as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, 4-1 on Wednesday night.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer pasta to a heatproof bowl and immediately toss with 2 Tbsp.

— Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of toss

Verb

The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey.

— Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
A day earlier, the Buccaneers had beaten the Panthers in their final game of the regular season, only to witness Carolina claim the NFC South anyway.

— Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of beat

Verb

Russia has broadly defied economic expectations through four-and-a-half years of full-scale war with Ukraine, although analysts have suggested that cracks in Putin’s wartime economy are becoming harder to hide.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Vicki could barely hide her disgust that Luann’s antics get more respect than her insurance business.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

Workers lashed the broad branches together with steel cables and chains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
The fight intensified Sunday when Mark Goldfeder, head of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, lashed out at Bonta and suggested California’s top law enforcement official was doing Ruffalo’s bidding by filing the antitrust lawsuit.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of lash

Verb

The 5-11, 210-pounder is a sudden cutter who runs with power and twitch, attacking space like a great punt returner.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
The muscles in Lola Petticrew’s face twitch ever so slightly, indicating Catherine’s excitement that the police are now in possession of this picture.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of thrash

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Synonyms of thrash

verb

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Phrases Containing thrash

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