flogged; flogging

transitive verb

1
a
: to beat with or as if with a rod or whip
The sailors were flogged for attempting a mutiny.
b
: to criticize harshly
He was flogged in the press for failing to take action.
2
: to force or urge into action : drive
3
a
chiefly British : to sell (something, such as stolen goods) illegally
flogged their employers' petrol to ordinary motoristsEconomist
b
: sell sense 7
traveled by horse, flogging encyclopediasRobert Darnton
flogging wares at the local discount outletRonald Henkoff
c
: to promote aggressively : plug
flying around the world flogging your moviesPeter Bogdanovich
4
British : steal sense 1

intransitive verb

1
: flap, flutter
sails flogging
2
British : to move along with difficulty : slog
flogger noun

Examples of flog in a Sentence

The sailors were flogged for attempting a mutiny. a graphic depiction of a sailor being flogged by the captain for disobeying orders
Recent Examples on the Web The director behind the topical film fled to Europe from Iran this month after the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to flogging, eight years in prison, and more for making films and political statements that criticized the Iranian government. Zoe Guy, Vulture, 24 May 2024 But perhaps less expected was the dramatic escape of Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof, who fled his home country for Europe last week after an appeals court upheld a verdict sentencing him to eight years in prison and flogging. Rebecca Messina, theweek, 14 May 2024 The director was sentenced to eight years behind bars, as well as flogging and a fine. Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 May 2024 Rasoulof decided to leave Iran illegally and arrived in Europe a few days ago, shortly after being sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for flog 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps modification of Latin flagellare to whip — more at flagellate

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flog was circa 1676

Dictionary Entries Near flog

Cite this Entry

“Flog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flog. Accessed 28 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

flog

verb
flogged; flogging
: to beat severely with or as if with a rod or whip
flogger noun

More from Merriam-Webster on flog

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