as in defeat
failure to win a contest
suffered a shellacking at the hands of a vastly superior opposition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in drubbing
to defeat by a large margin
the local football team was shellacked 35-0 in their final outing for the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shellacking
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But health wasn’t the only reason Hannegan chose to leave public life: Many of his fellow Democrats blamed him for the party’s shellacking in the 1946 midterms.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Australia endured one of their worst home performances in years after a shellacking against an underdog India.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown extended his touchdown streak to three games in the team’s 47-9 shellacking of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shellacking
Noun
But what a resounding response Ohio State had in a 42-14 shellacking of a Tennessee team that allowed more than 20 points only twice in the regular season with 31 on the high end.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But health wasn’t the only reason Hannegan chose to leave public life: Many of his fellow Democrats blamed him for the party’s shellacking in the 1946 midterms.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Australia endured one of their worst home performances in years after a shellacking against an underdog India.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown extended his touchdown streak to three games in the team’s 47-9 shellacking of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shellacking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shellacking
Noun
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Clement described Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to St Mirren as the worst performance of his tenure and fan sentiment has soured in recent weeks.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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New York’s season-worst 142-105 defeat at the hands of the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers was more than just a bad night.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The safeguards are important, the lawmakers said, because identity theft or bankruptcy can mean a loss of a security clearance or the end of a service member’s career.—
Melissa Chan,
NBC News,
20 Feb. 2025
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This causes a permanent loss of motion and increases your risk of fractures.—
Sarah Klein,
SELF,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Just before the beating begins, the camera leaves the boy’s perspective and moves behind him; viewers see the back of his head and shoulders.—
Ellen Wexler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Feb. 2025
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Former President Biden took a public beating from Trump and his supporters after it was revealed Biden's son and brother profited off his name and actions.—
Axios,
Axios,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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No Escape From Now, will be a feature length documentary revolving around the health setbacks Osbourne has faced since 2019, including his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Share your own struggles and the lessons learned from your setbacks.—
Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, Contributor,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Representative Mike Lawler of New York, who has hinted at ambitions for a governor bid in 2026, according to the New York Post, will need to walk a fine line between appeasing his party and not upsetting potential voters in his home state, which could put him at odds with Republicans.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
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These weeds require control to prevent upsetting the entire turf ecosystem.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shellacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shellacking. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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