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

Jezebel reports that the disgraced comedian lashed out at District Attorney Kevin Steele after Steele requested that Cosby's bail be revoked following the jury's guilty verdict. — Sydney Scott, Essence.com, "Bill Cosby Lashes Out In Court, Calls DA An 'A--hole'," 27 Apr. 2018 Its taillights incorporate a small graphic that evokes the jerrycans that were lashed to the back of World War II military Jeeps. — Car and Driver, "2018 Jeep Renegade," 7 Mar. 2018 Whatever the fiction, would the Constitution leave the Government free to starve, beat, or lash those held within our boundaries? — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "This Is a Crueler Country Than It Was 20 Years Ago," 27 Feb. 2018 Unfortunately, addicts often lash out at the very people who are trying the hardest to help them break the cycle of addiction. — Emma Dibdin, Redbook, "Dr. Phil Guests Battling Addiction Were Allegedly Given Drugs and Alcohol By Producers," 29 Dec. 2017 Boost your brows and lashes Apply a few drops of castor oil to eyelashes and brows before bed and rinse in the morning to promote growth. — Stephanie Eckelkamp, Good Housekeeping, "5 Ways Castor Oil Can Boost The Appearance Of Your Hair And Skin—Plus The Best Organic Brand To Try," 19 July 2017 The backlash represents the latest — and most local — case of consumers lashing out over a business’s cultural or political views. — Dan Sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Kavasutra Kava Bar serves its libations with a side of sexism and transphobia that has social media enraged," 10 July 2018 Denzel Washington, as Anthony Hubbard, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation, lashes out angrily at General Devereaux (Bruce Willis), the government official rounding up the men. — Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: The Prescient Political Films of 1998," 27 June 2018 If someone lashes out in frustration, express empathy for what is genuine distress, and ask for further clarification. — Steven P. Dinkin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A wedding gift from a teenage photographer," 17 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

They were sentenced to a year in prison and 91 lashes, a ruling which The Washington Post reported was later suspended. — Iman Hariri-kia, Teen Vogue, "How Social Media in Iran Is Used as a Tool for Protest," 11 July 2018 The brand’s new Le Volume Révolution is the first to utilize the technology to give you fluffy, non-clumpy lashes. — Shannon Barbour, The Cut, "Chanel Created 3-D-Printed Mascara," 11 June 2018 Martin then paired long lashes, dark liner, and a neutral daytime smoky eye with a pale pink lip. — refinery29.com, "Meghan Markle’s Wedding Look Was True To Her Style — & Still Followed The Rules," 19 May 2018 Aided by makeup artist and long-time friend Daniel Martin, Markle embraced her glowing complexion and natural freckles with minimal facial makeup, focusing instead on softly highlighting features like her strong brows, lush lashes and rosy cheeks. — Cady Lang, Time, "Megan Markle's Wedding Makeup for the Royal Wedding Accentuated Her Natural Beauty," 19 May 2018 Then, use a small brush to apply a thin line of white face paint under your lower lashes (but NOT along your waterline). — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "5 Snapchat Filter Halloween Costumes You Should Rock IRL," 20 Oct. 2017 Cudjo Lewis was a man made a slave not by the crack of an overseer’s lash but through betrayal by other black people in his own home country. — Emily Bernard, The New Republic, "Zora Neale Hurston’s drive to tell the story of the slave trade’s last survivor," 19 June 2018 Light explains that these wands were generally best for creating more of a feathery lash look. — Kathleen Hou, The Cut, "What’s in Your Mascara?," 3 May 2018 No one, regardless of age, should be subjected to flogging; that a child was prosecuted for consuming alcohol and sentenced to 80 lashes beggars belief. — Greg Norman, Fox News, "GRAPHIC PHOTO: Iran slammed for 'shocking' flogging of man convicted for drinking alcohol as a teen," 12 July 2018

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.