First Known Use: 1568
Dictionary
1thrash
verb \ˈthrash\
: to hit (someone or something) very hard with a stick, whip, etc.
: to defeat (someone or something) very easily or completely
: to move about violently
Full Definition of THRASH
transitive verb
1
: to separate the seeds of from the husks and straw by beating : thresh 1
2
a : to beat soundly with or as if with a stick or whip : flog b : to defeat decisively or severely <thrashed the visiting team>
3
: to swing, beat, or strike in the manner of a rapidly moving flail <thrashing his arms>
4
a : to go over again and again <thrash the matter over inconclusively> b : to hammer out : forge <thrash out a plan>
intransitive verb
1
: thresh 1
2
: to deal blows or strokes like one using a flail or whip
3
: to move or stir about violently : toss about <thrash in bed with a fever>
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Origin of THRASH
alteration of thresh
Related to THRASH
Synonym Discussion of THRASH
swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the rope back and forth>. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms about>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
2thrash
noun
: a type of rock music that is very fast and loud
: a violent movement
: a party with loud music and dancing
Full Definition of THRASH
1
: an act of thrashing
2
: rock music (as heavy metal or punk rock) that is extremely fast and loud
See thrash defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THRASH
1840
THRASH[1] Defined for Kids
thrash
verb \ˈthrash\
thrashedthrash·ing
Definition of THRASH for Kids
1
: to beat very hard
2
: to move about violently <Something was thrashing wildly in the brush.>
3
: thresh 1
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