Trouncing: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Middle English 'trouncen', which means to 'thump' or 'strike'.
• Its roots can be traced back to the Old French word 'trouncer', meaning to 'cut off' or 'sever'.
• Originally, trouncing was related to defeating someone in combat or battle.

Sports

• In sports, a trouncing can refer to a game where one team scores significantly more than the other, often leading to a review of player strategies.
• Major league baseball and football games often feature trouncings, shifting public interest towards underdogs or upcoming matches.
• The term has even entered fan vocabulary, leading to memes and commentary around particularly lopsided games.

Pop Culture

• Movies and cartoons often depict villains being trounced by heroes, solidifying the concept of good triumphing over evil.
• In video games, players might experience moments of trouncing an opponent, turning the tide of the story dramatically.
• The phrase is frequently used in critiques of entertainment, like reviewing a show where the plot dramatically overshadows character depth.

Psychology

• Experiencing being trounced can have psychological effects, impacting self-esteem and future performance in competitive contexts.
• People often remember a trouncing more vividly than a close match, which can shape their overall attitude towards competition.
• In behavioral psychology, winning decisively might boost a player's confidence, influencing their performance in future games.

Literature

• Classic literature often showcases themes of trouncing, where protagonists face a major defeat before ultimately overcoming their challenges.
• In Shakespearean plays, characters often experience trouncings in terms of ideas or beliefs, leading to personal growth.
• Modern novels sometimes use the concept of trouncing to create tension, setting up heroes against seemingly unbeatable odds.

Ranking #39,445, 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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• 39442 daintier
• 39443 gradable
• 39444 mensch
• 39445 trouncing
• 39446 brazenness
• 39447 superannuate
• 39448 mausolea
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