body slam

[ bod-ee slam ]

noun

1. a wrestling or judo throw in which an opponent is lifted and hurled to the mat, landing on the back.
2. a physical assault in which a person is thrown to the ground.
3. any devastating assault or onslaught:

   The voters have delivered a body slam to the advocates of bigotry.

Other Words From

• bod·y-slam verb (used with object) bodyslammed bodyslamming

Word History and Origins

Origin of body slam¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The energy often shifts within seconds as wrestlers might cradle each other gently and then suddenly body slam their opponent.

From Los Angeles Times

In a video obtained by TMZ, the 71-year-old can be seen asking the jeering crowd: "Do you want me to body slam Kamala Harris?!"

From BBC

"It was, to put it mildly, a total body slam," Kaytal told MSNBC.

From Salon

There was the early spot of the target, laser-sharp focus while honing in, and a crunching body slam to the ground.

From BBC

Hughes picked up the Finnish player and attempted to body slam him to the ice.

From Seattle Times