as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible some medieval monks believed it was necessary to flagellate themselves in order to keep their desires in check
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flagellate Stephens would do well to stop flagellating himself and the Never Trumpers and instead join democracy advocates in defending the rule of law in a dangerous new world. —
Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025 Pop stars being badasses, as ever, but expressing doubt, and doing it without the flagellating self-destruction that might have come with an early iteration. —Susannah Felts, Longreads, 27 Apr. 2023 For Logan, none of these self-flagellating exercises mattered. —Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023 One Peruvian candidate has taken time to talk about his habit of wearing a wire chain, known as a cilice, every day to flagellate himself. —Star Tribune, 8 Apr. 2021 See All Example Sentences for flagellate
Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025 Pop stars being badasses, as ever, but expressing doubt, and doing it without the flagellating self-destruction that might have come with an early iteration. —Susannah Felts, Longreads, 27 Apr. 2023 For Logan, none of these self-flagellating exercises mattered. —Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023 One Peruvian candidate has taken time to talk about his habit of wearing a wire chain, known as a cilice, every day to flagellate himself. —Star Tribune, 8 Apr. 2021 See All Example Sentences for flagellate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flagellate
Verb
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Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.— Terell Bailey, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
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Johnson whipped out his phone and shared a photo of Maivia with the audience, who applauded at the likeness.— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neither made any attempt to hide their contempt for the other from the media or the public.— Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
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Unlike other bands who have used a hiatus as an excuse to hide acrimony, James says the members went their separate ways with zero animosity.— Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although the state of emergency has slashed El Salvador’s homicide rate, authorities have arrested over 91,000 people, with human rights groups documenting thousands of wrongful detentions.— Marcos Aleman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
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European airlines have already slashed short haul capacity for April and May, with the region’s ‘big three’ network carriers — Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and IAG — also cutting transatlantic capacity, Bank of America analysis shows.— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Speccie’s star columnist is the rudest man in Christendom, the Godzilla of contumely, an all-time non-sufferer of fools who horsewhips his targets the way Hunter S. Thompson and Christopher Hitchens once did.— Kyle Smith, National Review, 23 Apr. 2020
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In reality, Watson wasn’t a bar fighter or famous for horsewhipping cowboys.— Eliza McGraw, Smithsonian, 12 Mar. 2018
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Carlson — and other right-wing influencers — in recent months who have become disenchanted with the president.— Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
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Trump lashed out at them and Tucker in a long, rambling social media post earlier this month.— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The main space includes a custom kitchen with an induction Verona stove, leathered granite counters and a large copper farmhouse sink.— Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
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Inside, the home features 10-foot coffered ceilings, white oak floors, and a kitchen with a La Cornue range and light leathered marble countertops.— BusinessDen, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After being placed in a government vehicle, Ferreira Borges allegedly kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at officers, officials said.— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
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On an odd-man rush, New Jersey's Jesper Bratt scored the go-ahead goal for his second score of the game from the left circle off a perfect pass from Jack Hughes as John Gibson flailed around in an attempt to stop the puck.— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The media flagged and flogged it for AI incompetence.— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
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Examples include a husband having the legal right to restrict his wife’s travel and employment, unequal divorce rights and punishment for appearing in public without a hijab ranging from fines to prison time to flogging.— Ellie Austin, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flagellate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/flagellate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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