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
Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
During the Biden administration, Patel, a bombastic podcaster, had repeatedly lambasted Wray for using the FBI plane for personal travels and even suggested that the jet be grounded.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
On Wednesday, a senior White House adviser publicly lambasted the report, calling it shoddy work and even suggesting its authors should be punished.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
In the year since Worrell, a Democrat, began her second term, Republican Uthmeier has repeatedly lambasted her office’s policies and decisions.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lambaste
Cite this Entry
“Lambaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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lambaste
verb
