lash

verb (1)

\ ˈlash

lashed; lashing; lashes

Definition of lash

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to move violently or suddenly : dash

2 : to thrash or beat violently rain lashed at the windowpanes

3 : to make a verbal attack or retort —usually used with out

transitive verb

1a : to whip or fling about violently the big cat lashed its tail about threateningly

b : to strike or beat with or as if with a whip waves lashed the shore

2a : to assail with stinging words

b : drive, whip lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech

lash

noun

Definition of lash (Entry 2 of 3)

1a(1) : a stroke with or as if with a whip

(2) : the flexible part of a whip also : whip

b : punishment by whipping

2 : a beating, whipping, or driving force

3 : a stinging rebuke

4 : eyelash

5 : the clearance or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts

lash

verb (2)

lashed; lashing; lashes

Definition of lash (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to bind with or as if with a line

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Examples of lash in a Sentence

Noun

They gave the sailor 50 lashes for disobeying orders. The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The boil advisory in Algiers followed previous advisories issued last week for the city's east bank after an arctic cold front lashed Louisiana. — Beau Evans, NOLA.com, "Boil-water advisory lifted for Algiers: Sewerage & Water Board," 25 Jan. 2018 Rizzo praised the Stoneman Douglas students for persisting in the face of harsh criticism and lashed out at the vitriol that some have been subjected to. — Craig Davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Anthony Rizzo lauds Stoneman Douglas activists: 'I think it’s a little too easy to get a gun'," 29 Mar. 2018 Any tips on how not to lash out or how to argue more effectively? — Samantha Boardman, Marie Claire, "How to Argue (Respectfully)," 28 Mar. 2019 But despite the unfairness, Hathaway’s response wasn’t to lash out or retreat. — Elizabeth Holmes, Town & Country, "Anne Hathaway Is Nobody's Punching Bag," 8 Jan. 2019 How to keep the U.S.S.R. from lashing out in desperation? — Josef Joffe, WSJ, "George Bush Led the Biggest Diplomatic Triumph Since Jefferson," 3 Dec. 2018 An increasingly violent strain of the radical left lashing out over the past few days. — Fox News, "Was there anything illegal about the Trump Tower meeting?," 6 Aug. 2018 Prosecutors argued that Ortega was jealous of Marina Krim's life and lashed out in the worst way possible - at her children. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, ""Killer nanny" Yoselyn Ortega sentenced to life in prison in slayings of kids in her care," 14 May 2018 Neither the Iranian strike on the Golan nor Israel’s response were necessarily direct consequences of the deal’s untimely demise, although the former may have been one way in which Iran lashed out in response to Trump’s decision. — Jonah Shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Iran Deal Exit Has Raised the Risk of War, Even Faster Than Expected," 11 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Experts like to curl lashes before makeup, as part of skin-care prep. — Talia Abbas, SELF, "13 Mistakes You’re Making When Using an Eyelash Curler," 30 Jan. 2019 Step two: Curl your lashes and apply mascara as usual. — Seventeen.com Editors, Seventeen, "50 Life-Changing Prom Beauty Tips You Haven't Heard Before," 19 Dec. 2018 Her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, which allows for a makeup palette of bright red lipstick (Rouge Dior 999), shimmery eyeshadow, and curled lashes to take center stage. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Bella Hadid Stars in Dior’s Halloween-Inspired Short Film," 18 Oct. 2018 Let that be a cautionary tale for every girl who curls her lashes. — Jillian Ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Riverdale Star Madelaine Petsch Is Bioré's New Brand Ambassador," 8 Jan. 2018 Gently pull on your under-eye and trace the line between the lower lashes and the inside rim. — Natalie Gontcharova, Woman's Day, "5 Ways You're Putting on Eyeliner Wrong," 26 Aug. 2014 In addition to amplifying her lashes, Ivori loves to incorporate food and herbs into her beauty ritual to nourish her body and mind. — Dianca London Potts, SELF, "8 Modern Witches Share Their Daily Beauty Rituals," 11 Apr. 2019 Maybelline's cult classic Falsies has been reformulated with pro-keratin fibers that coat each lash for an amplified, so-good-they-look-fake shape. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "5 New Black Mascaras You Need in Your Life This Fall," 17 Aug. 2018 Fresh off the heels of her successful Vegas residency—complete with extreme waist-grazing lengths and many a fluttering fake lash—Jennifer Lopez is heading back to the stage. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Jennifer Lopez Announces Her Summer Tour—And Teases a Stage-Ready Beauty Look," 13 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.