What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
beat
Example
He beat the drum loudly, creating a captivating rhythm. [beat: verb]
Example
Her heart was beating fast with excitement. [beating: gerund or present participle]
thrash
Example
The wrestler thrashed his opponent with powerful blows. [thrash: verb]
Example
The fish thrashed around on the deck after being caught. [thrashing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Beat is more commonly used than thrash in everyday language. Beat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while thrash is less common and is often associated with more intense or aggressive situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between beat and thrash?
While beat is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, thrash is more intense and can be used in both informal and formal contexts when describing decisive victories or violent actions.
