lambaste
verb
-ˈbast
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.
Examples of lambaste in a Sentence
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Join 263 others in the comments View Comments Still, the Obama and Biden administrations lambasted both of those decisions.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Ono was also called out for speaking at an Anti-Defamation League conference on antisemitism and hate after the ADL was lambasted for defending Elon Musk’s salute at Trump’s inauguration that critics described as Nazi-like.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2025
The plan fell apart after Trump and Vice President Vance lambasted the Ukrainian leader in front of reporters, accusing him of being insufficiently grateful for U.S. assistance to Kyiv.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lambaste
Cite this Entry
“Lambaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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lambaste
verb
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