What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rout
Example
The home team suffered a humiliating rout by the visiting team. [rout: noun]
Example
The army was routed by the enemy forces and forced to retreat. [routed: past tense verb]
trounce
Example
The champion boxer trounced his opponent in the ring, winning the match easily. [trounced: past tense verb]
Example
The teacher trounced the student for cheating on the exam, giving him a failing grade. [trounced: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trounce is more commonly used than rout in everyday language, and it is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts. Rout is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rout and trounce?
Both rout and trounce are relatively formal words that are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, trounce may be slightly more informal than rout due to its versatility and wider range of contexts.
