lambaste

verb

lam·​baste (ˌ)lam-ˈbāst  -ˈbast 

ˈlam-ˌbāst, 

-ˌbast

variants or lambast

lambasted; lambasting; lambastes or lambasts

transitive verb

1

: to assault violently : beat, whip

2

: to attack verbally : censure

critics lambasted his performance

Did you know?

The origins of lambaste (which can also be spelled lambast) are somewhat uncertain, but the word was most likely formed by combining the verbs lam and baste, both of which mean “to beat severely.” (This baste is unrelated to either the sewing or cooking one.) Although lambaste started out in the 1600s meaning “to assault violently,” English speakers were by the 1800s applying it in cases involving harsh attacks made with words rather than fists. This new sense clearly struck a chord; after fighting its way into the lexicon, lambaste has held fast ever since.

Synonyms of lambaste

• scold
• criticize
• lecture
• reprimand
• blame

Examples of lambaste in a Sentence

The coach lambasted the team for its poor play.

They wrote several letters lambasting the new law.

Recent Examples on the Web

Atrium lambasted the state for not putting it on the preferred tier of coverage, which comes with lower costs for patients. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, one of the most stalwart allies of the Jewish state in Congress, lambasted Netanyahu on the Senate floor during a March 2024 speech and encouraged Israelis to elect a new government. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Summary American Airlines has been lambasted for not following Delta and United in offering premium enhancements. — Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

That detail — and revelations that Mangione’s private writings lambasted health insurers as greedy, according to authorities — made the case a fulcrum for debate about the industry and made Mangione a cause célèbre for some of its critics. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from lam entry 1 + baste

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lambaste

• aghast
• amassed
• biassed
• broadcast
• bypassed
• downcast
• forecast
• foremast
• harassed
• holdfast
• mainmast
• newscast

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Kids Definition

lambaste

verb

lam·​baste

variants or lambast

(ˈ)lam-ˈbāst  -ˈbast 

lambasted; lambasting

1

: strike entry 1 sense 2a, beat

2

: to scold roughly