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
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
In 2011, Acuña was one of many authors who saw their works lambasted by then-Arizona Atty.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Pictures removed Azmoun later removed the pictures but was still lambasted on state TV on Thursday with soccer pundit Mohammad Misaghi saying the striker’s actions had been an act of disloyalty.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Owner Woody Johnson even lambasted Fields for his lack of accuracy.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2026.
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lambaste
verb
