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

And one crime enthusiast reporter went so far as to say the main suspect in the case was a member of the Guthrie family – a claim for which she was quickly lambasted by some in the public and law enforcement, who insisted the Guthries are victims and very cooperative. —Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 12 May 2026

In a lavish rally on Saturday, Davis lambasted the FNM. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

John blamed Steve for the Mac Division’s poor sales and lambasted him for undermining his authority. —Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026

After a controversial no-call during a play involving Caitlin Clark last May against the New York Liberty, Fever head coach Stephanie White lambasted WNBA referees for their officiating. —Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 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