Trounce Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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trounce

[traสŠns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to defeat decisively

To trounce means to defeat someone or something easily and by a large amount. It is often used in a competitive or confrontational context.

Synonyms

beat, crush, defeat, overwhelm, vanquish.

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Word Description / Examples
trounce

Used when someone wins by a significant margin, often with a connotation of humiliation for the loser.

  • Our team trounced the rivals in the final match, leaving no doubt about our superiority
beat

A general term for winning against someone, applicable in various contexts from sports to games.

  • She beat her opponent in chess after a long and intense game
defeat

A neutral term for overcoming an opponent or challenge, suitable for formal and informal use.

  • Despite their efforts, they were ultimately defeated in the semifinals
overwhelm

Used when the victory is so complete that the opponent had no chance to fight back effectively.

  • The sudden surge of enthusiasm from the crowd overwhelmed the visiting team
crush

Implies a very dominant and overwhelming victory, often making the opponent seem inferior.

  • The home team crushed their competition with an impressive score of 5-0
vanquish

A formal and somewhat old-fashioned term, often used in literary or dramatic contexts, implying total and often noble victory.

  • The knight vanquished the dragon and saved the kingdom from peril

Examples of usage

  • He trounced his opponent in the tennis match.
  • The team was trounced in the championship game.
  • We trounced the competition with our innovative approach.
  • She trounced her rival in the debate.
Context #2 | Noun

a heavy defeat

As a noun, trounce refers to a heavy defeat or a crushing victory in a competition or conflict.

Synonyms

defeat, drubbing, overwhelming victory, rout.

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Word Description / Examples
trounce

This term is used when someone wins by a large margin or in a very decisive manner. Often used in sports or competitive settings.

  • The home team trounced their rivals with a final score of 4-0
defeat

Used in any scenario where one side loses to another. It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • The candidate faced a surprising defeat in the election
drubbing

Implies a severe and humiliating loss. Often used in sports and has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The basketball team suffered a drubbing, losing by more than 30 points
rout

Used to describe a situation where one side is completely beaten, often causing them to flee or scatter. Common in sports or military contexts.

  • The general led a successful rout, forcing the enemy troops to retreat
overwhelming victory

Describes a win that is achieved with an exceptionally large margin of success or dominance. Suitable for formal contexts.

  • The new policy passed with an overwhelming victory in the council meeting

Examples of usage

  • Their loss was a real trounce.
  • The election results were a trounce for the incumbent party.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Sports

  • In sports, a team that trounces its opponent usually dominates the game, scoring significantly more points.
  • The term has been used in famous match reports, highlighting upsets where the underdog trounces the favorite.
  • The sense of trouncing captures both the physical and emotional elements of competitive sports, where victory can be overwhelming.

Pop Culture

  • The word has appeared in movie titles and sports commentary to describe a team or individual winning in a dominating fashion.
  • In video games, players may trumpet their victories with phrases like 'We trounced them in the final match!'
  • Shows like 'The Great British Bake Off' sometimes lead to contestants trouncing others in skills challenges, emphasizing decisiveness.

Psychology

  • Experiencing a trounce can lead to significant emotional reactions, often mocking the 'loser' and boosting the victor's confidence.
  • It can also influence perceptions of power dynamics, where the trouncing party may feel more competent or validated.
  • In competitive scenarios, being trounced can affect motivation and self-esteem, impacting future performance.

Literature

  • The concept of trouncing appears in many works, illustrating the theme of struggle and victory, such as in epic poetry.
  • In classic literature, protagonists often 'trounce' their foes, elevating the narrative tension and resolution.
  • Authors use trouncing to depict not only physical battles but also intellectual or moral triumphs over adversaries.

Origin of 'trounce'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'trounce' comes from the Middle English word 'trouncen,' meaning to 'thump' or 'strike.'
  • It has roots in the Old French term 'trouncer,' which means to 'throttle' or 'strangle.'
  • The term entered popular English around the early 19th century, reflecting a sense of decisive victory.

The word 'trounce' originated in the late 18th century, possibly from an alteration of the word 'trump' meaning to deceive or outdo. Over time, 'trounce' evolved to specifically denote a decisive victory or defeat in a competitive setting.


See also: trouncing.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,067, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.