shellacking

noun

shel·​lack·​ing shə-ˈla-kiŋ 

: a decisive defeat : drubbing

Synonyms

• beating
• defeat
• drubbing
• licking
• loss
• lump
• overthrow
• plastering
• rout
• trimming
• trouncing
• whipping

Examples of shellacking in a Sentence

They took a shellacking in yesterday's game.

suffered a shellacking at the hands of a vastly superior opposition

Recent Examples on the Web

Its first exclusive playoff contest—a Ravens 28-14 shellacking of the Steelers—garnered 22.1 million average viewers, with a peak of 24.7 million tuned in. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025

While Ohio State is a perennial ratings draw, even the rich kids from the Big Ten can’t do much to prevent fans from churning away when a shellacking is in the works. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2025

But as a 36-14 shellacking in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday night cautioned America … not all of them. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

shellacking

noun

shel·​lack·​ing

shə-ˈlak-iŋ

: a lopsided defeat