bash

1 of 2

verb

ˈbash 

bashed; bashing; bashes

transitive verb

1

: to strike violently : hit

also : to injure or damage by striking : smash

—often used with in

2

: to attack physically or verbally

media bashing

celebrity bashing

intransitive verb

: crash

basher noun

see also bash away, bash on, bash out, bash up

bash

2 of 2

noun

1

: a forceful blow

2

: a festive social gathering : party

3

chiefly British : try, attempt

have a bash at it

Synonyms of bash

Verb

• bump
• slam
• bang
• smash
• collide
• hit
• knock
• crash
• ram

Noun

• blow
• slap
• hit
• thump
• punch
• swipe
• knock
• whack
• thud
• poke
• pound
• slam
• bang
• smack
• stroke
• spank
• lick
• beat

Examples of bash in a Sentence

Verb

I bashed my arm against the door.

Someone bashed him over the head with a chair.

They tried to bash the door open.

Noun

We threw her a birthday bash.

She gave me a bash on the head.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Between Friendsgivings, office parties, gift swaps, festive dinners, and New Year’s Eve bashes, we are inundated with celebrations. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

Neighborhood bars and restaurants across Chicago are prepping for their New Year's Eve bashes on Wednesday. —Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

Noun

According to Tanguay, past events have included talks by historians, poetry readings, a women’s health roundtable, and a Gatsby-esque bash complete with lessons on dancing the Charleston. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

The model spent the last few days of 2025 traversing the slopes and streets of Aspen, choosing to ring in the new year at Hadid, Bieber, and Jenner fave Casa Tua and at Kate Hudson’s starry yearly bash alongside the likes of Anya Taylor-Joy and Kim Kardashian. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

Noun

noun derivative of bash entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bash

• beat/bash someone's brains out/in
• have a bash

Rhymes for bash

• ash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash
• mash

Kids Definition

bash

verb

ˈbash

1

: to strike violently : beat

2

: to smash by a blow

3

: crash entry 1 sense 1a