WordGarden.iotrounce
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈaʊns/
US
- /ˈtraʊns/
Meanings
Verb
to defeat someone badly or by a large margin in a contest or election
Beyond the definition
Imagine a tiny sailboat trying to compete with a massive battleship; the battleship would trounce the little boat. To trounce someone means to beat them very badly, often in a game, contest, election, or other direct competition. It's more than just winning; it's about being clearly stronger or better. A skilled chess player might trounce a beginner, and one team might trounce another by a huge score.
To trounce someone or something means to defeat them in a resounding and overwhelming manner. It implies not just victory, but a significant disparity in power or skill between the winner and the loser. While the word's exact origin is a bit of a mystery, it has long been associated with the idea of a physical thrashing or a heavy blow, giving you a sense of its forceful nature!
You'll often hear trounce used in the context of sports: "Our team trounced their rivals in the championship game." But it's not limited to athletics. A candidate can trounce an opponent in an election, and one side in a debate can trounce the other if the difference in skill or preparation is obvious.
It's much stronger than simply "beat" or "defeat." It suggests a complete and overwhelming victory in which the losing side has little chance of success. Think of it as a thorough thrashing, a decisive win that leaves no doubt about who was better. For example, "The defending champions trounced the visitors 6-0."
So, if someone is getting utterly defeated, crushed, or overwhelmed, they are being trounced. It's a word that conveys a powerful and complete victory.
Examples
- 1
Sports result
The home team trounced their rivals 5-0 on Saturday.
- 2
Election
Her party was trounced in the regional election.
- 3
Debate
In the final debate, he trounced his opponent with calm, clear answers.
- 4
Price competition
Their budget airline has trounced bigger carriers on price this year.
- Patterntrounce someone on + area
do much better than them in that area
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Meeting risk
If we go into the meeting unprepared, the other side will trounce us.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- trounceverb
Forms
- trouncedpast tenseverb
- trouncing-ing formverb
- trouncesverb