to thresh

Examples

• All

• The child threshed her arms wildly when she got excited during the game.

• That's a philosophical question that has been threshed back and forth for hundreds of years.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The greenling threshed in excitement and disappointment.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Jolted awake, they threshed their arms in reflex defense.

  Fiction book (1998)

• He began threshing his arms back and forth, beating the mittened hands against his sides.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Located near a shoal in the stream, great salmon threshed in the water all night long in their effort to ascend the stream.

  Academic text (1997)

• Little Arnold, standing on the parapet near Josephine Aunty with two dried yellow coconuts tied to his back, watched his father threshing about, saw the panic in his face, and found the sight less than reassuring.

  Fiction book (1996)

• He threshed about in the water, trying to keep himself afloat after falling off the boat.

Synonyms

T

to toss

vsto thresh

94 1.4

To move about in a violent or restless way

is more about strong violent action than simple restless movement

F

to flail

vsto thresh

38 5.8

To wave arms or legs wildly

describes similar wild motion but emphasizes strong violent movement rather than swinging

T

to thrash

vsto thresh

24 5.8

Move or swing violently without control

focuses more on strong uncontrolled movement and less on agitation

C

to convulse

vsto thresh

8 7.8

Shake hard and without control because of illness, a strong feeling, or a hit

is broader agitated movement not limited to medical or emotional causes

T

to thrash about

vsto thresh

1 6.1

Move the body violently when in pain or fear

covers violent movement but not always caused by pain or fear

T

to thresh about

vsto thresh

1 7.9

Make quick, wild movements because you are afraid or in pain

is the general violent movement without the distress emphasis

J

to jactitate

vsto thresh

• Archaic

9.9

To move or shake your body suddenly and violently

is the common expression used instead of this rare word

Antonyms

S

to still

12 4.2

To make quiet or calm

Phrasal Verbs

T

to thresh about

1 7.9

Make quick, wild movements because you are afraid or in pain

T

to thresh out

6.8

Discuss a problem or idea carefully to reach a decision

How Violent

to convulse

8 7.8

to writhe

24 7.5

to thresh

1 8.9

to flail

38 5.8

to toss

94 1.4

Surface Forms

Etymology