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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

talk trash en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

Phrasal verb from talk (“to speak of, to discuss”) + trash (“a worthless assertion for being untrue”).

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, slang) To untruthfully speak of another in a belittling, deprecative, slighting manner, either in person or in absentia.
  2. (idiomatic, slang) To speak boastfully or tauntingly about oneself in contrast with another person or other people.
    • "If there's one Celtic that tries to talk smack to me, it will be Paul (Pierce)," Kobe reported. "We're similar in age, have been through some of the same things, so he feels like he can try. But he's not as good at it as I am. I don't talk trash often, but when I do, I go for the jugular." [...] "(Today's younger players) don't seem to want to talk any trash," Kobe shrugged. "I say everything to LeBron. He says nothing back. He just laughs. There's no banter back and forth. I guess it's a generational thing. When I first came into the league, the trash talk was downright cutthroat." February 6, 2013, Jackie MacMullan, article: Kobe Bryant Dishes on Celtics, ESPN online

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
talking trash Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
talked trash Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
talked trash Tense=Past lexicographic
talks trash Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Deriveds

trash talking · trash-talk

Synonyms

discredit · disparage · disrepute · infamize · slag · vilipend · reproach · villainize · talk smack · defame · brag · trash-talk · depreciate · muddy · forgab · wrong · smirch · asperse · dirty · revile · drag through the mud · assassinate · scandal · torch · badmouth · talk shit · forspeak · blot · tarnish · malign · cloud · blaze · disgrace · spatter · stab · chat shite · talk shit · spot · belibel · calumniate · traduce · trash-talk · stain · unflatter · lampoon · shit-talk · monsterize · slander · talk trash · blemish · befoul · diss · slander · smear · blur · chat shit · foul · bewray · calumny · vilify · talk shite · detract · besmirch · sully · blame · besmear · blacken · backbite · demonize · deprave · denigrate · libel · speak ill of