View synonyms for lash

lash

[ lash ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the flexible part of a whip; the section of cord or the like forming the extremity of a whip.
a swift stroke or blow, with a whip or the like, given as a punishment:
He received 20 lashes.
something that goads or pains in a manner compared to that of a whip:
the lash of his sharp tongue.
a swift dashing or sweeping movement, as of an animal's tail; swish.
a violent beating or impact, as of waves or rain, against something.
an eyelash.
Also called neck cord. a cord or a series of cords for lifting the warp in weaving a figured fabric.

verb (used with object)

to strike or beat, as with a whip or something similarly slender and flexible.
to beat violently or sharply against:
The rain lashed the trees.
to drive by or as if by strokes of a whip:
He lashed them on to greater effort.
to attack, scold, or punish severely with words:
She lashed the students with harsh criticism.
to dash, fling, or switch suddenly and swiftly:
The crocodile lashed its tail.

verb (used without object)

to strike vigorously at someone or something, as with a weapon or whip (often followed by out ):
He lashed wildly at his attackers.
to attack or reprove someone with harsh words (often followed by out ):
to lash out at injustice.
Synonyms: tongue-lash, scold, berate
to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash:
The coiled snake lashed suddenly.
Chiefly British. to spend money lavishly or foolishly (usually followed by out ).

lash

[ lash ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to bind or fasten with a rope, cord, or the like.
Synonyms: truss, rope, secure, tie

LASH

[ lash ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an ocean-going vessel equipped with special cranes and holds for lifting and stowing cargo-carrying barges that can be sailed up inland waterways or into port facilities from offshore.

lash

/ læʃ /

noun

a sharp cutting blow from a whip or other flexible object
twenty lashes was his punishment
the flexible end or ends of a whip
a cutting or hurtful blow to the feelings, as one caused by ridicule or scolding
a forceful beating or impact, as of wind, rain, or waves against something
See eyelash
See eyelash
have a lash informal.
have a lash to make an attempt at or take part in (something)

verb

to hit (a person or thing) sharply with a whip, rope, etc, esp as a punishment
(of rain, waves, etc) to beat forcefully against
to attack with words, ridicule, etc
to flick or wave sharply to and fro
the restless panther lashed his tail
to urge or drive with or as if with a whip
to lash the audience into a violent mood

lash

/ læʃ /

verb

tr to bind or secure with rope, string, etc

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Derived Forms

ˈlasher, noun
ˈlashingly, adverb
ˈlasher, noun

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Other Words From

lasher noun
lashing·ly adverb
lashless adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lash¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb lashen “to deal a blow; hammer”; noun derivative of the verb; perhaps imitative of the sound

Origin of lash²

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English lasen, lace(n) “to fasten with laces, buckles, or ties,” from Old French lac(i)er, lasser, lachier to lace ( def )

Origin of lash³

1960–65; l(ighter) a(board) sh(ip)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lash¹

C14: perhaps imitative

Origin of lash²

C15: from Old French lachier, ultimately from Latin laqueāre to ensnare, from laqueus noose

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Example Sentences

And activists have used the semi-anonymity of social media to lash out against the government.

From The Daily Beast

But all of them add up to a coiled-up rage, ready to lash out at the nearest target.

From The Daily Beast

And when you peacefully protest their stereotyping of you, they lash back at you and they call you horrendous, horrific names.

From The Daily Beast

Hammami followed his video by taking to Twitter to lash out at Shabaab and its emir.

From The Daily Beast

Nor one of those tropical torments that periodically lash the country.

From The Daily Beast

I have read that Chinamen tie their wives to beams in the roof and lash them with leather thongs until they swoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the drivers lash at him with their long whips but he is too quick for them and scampers out of their reach.

From Project Gutenberg

As if by accident, the lash whistled close to Bill Talpers's face, making him give back a step in surprise.

From Project Gutenberg

His thoughts dwell on wagons stogged in the mire and big carthorses hauling at the collar at his voice and under his lash.

From Project Gutenberg

And the Jenkins pills became famous precisely by reason of that lash of the whip which they gave to jaded existences.

From Project Gutenberg

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