cosh
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cosh, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short, heavy stick or weighted tube used as a weapon to strike someone, especially over the head.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun British
A short, heavy stick or weighted tube used as a weapon to strike someone, especially over the head.
“The robber carried a leather cosh weighted with lead shot.”
How to Use Cosh
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The weapon sense is chiefly British and somewhat old-fashioned, common in crime writing. The maths sense is fully technical and international.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a cosh and a truncheon?
A truncheon is a rigid baton issued to police as standard equipment, while a cosh is typically shorter, often flexible or weighted at one end, and is associated with improvised or criminal use. In many jurisdictions carrying a cosh is an offence in itself.
How do you pronounce cosh in maths?
Most mathematicians say it as a single syllable, 'kosh', rhyming with 'posh'. Some read it aloud as 'cos-h' or 'hyperbolic cosine', particularly when clarity matters.
What does 'under the cosh' mean?
It is a British idiom meaning under heavy pressure or sustained attack, used especially in sport and business. A team defending desperately for the last twenty minutes is said to be under the cosh.