Trounced: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'trounce' comes from the Middle French 'trouncer', which means to 'thump' or 'strike'.
• It first appeared in English in the late 16th century, reflecting a sense of beating or overcoming.
• The connection to thumping emphasizes how decisively one can win over another.

Sports

• In competitive sports, trouncing an opponent implies a significant score difference, often seen as a humiliating loss.
• Famous instances of teams being trounced include the 1980 Winter Olympics, where the US hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in what was called the 'Miracle on Ice'.
• Sports commentators often use 'trounced' to describe when one team utterly dominates another in a game.

Pop Culture

• The term gained popularity in the 1990s, often used to describe overwhelming victories in video games.
• In movies, characters who trounce others often become the hero, showcasing their skills and superiority.
• Memes often use the term 'trounced' to humorously exaggerate everyday competitions like game nights and trivia.

Psychology

• Experiencing being trounced in a game can lead to feelings of inadequacy or motivate individuals to improve their skills.
• The psychological impact of being widely defeated can vary, including diminished self-esteem or a newfound determination to practice more.
• Victories or losses labeled as 'trouncing' convey not just the outcome, but can also reflect competitive dynamics and personal growth.

Literature

• The word appears in literature to symbolize more than just physical defeat, often representing the triumph of good over evil or wisdom over ignorance.
• Novels often feature 'trouncing' battles as climactic scenes, highlighting character arcs and moral lessons.
• Shakespearean plays often depict characters who either trounce their foes or suffer from being trounced, emphasizing themes of power and consequence.

Ranking #36,173, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 36170 leashed
• 36171 reformative
• 36172 skinhead
• 36173 trounced
• 36174 culpably
• 36175 hosed
• 36176 inequitably
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