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.
Brown said there’s plenty of trash talk during many games. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 Before the Michigan game, the main knocks against Fears were his penchant for trash talk on the court and his ability to pester opponents and draw fouls on them. Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026 And even though the two are now divisional foes, the friendly trash talk hasn’t quite started yet. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026 In the meantime, don’t expect any trash talk between the two about the hardware. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trash talk

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trash talk was in 1978

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trash talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trash%20talk. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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