trash talk

noun

: disparaging, taunting, or boastful comments especially between opponents trying to intimidate each other
trash-talk verb
trash-talker noun

Examples of trash talk in a Sentence

He had to listen to a lot of trash talk from the other players.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Not some trash talk sent across a recreational court last weekend, but rather American world No. 15 Ben Shelton’s reaction to one of the world’s top doubles players complaining about some body-line groundstrokes. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Kape hasn’t always delivered a level of excitement in his fights that has matched his trash talk, but Royval is all business, so the two men could have an interesting, high-skiled and high-stakes fight. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 As the day goes on, a lively, competitive game of spades often ensues, filled with plenty of friendly trash talk. Ronny Maye, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025 The return of March Madness means the return of group chat trash talk among friends and battling for bracket bragging rights with your boss. Justin L. MacK, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trash talk

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trash talk was in 1981

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trash talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trash%20talk. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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