lash

verb \ ˈlash \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: lash in a Sentence

Definition of lash

lashed; lashing; lashes

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

1 a : 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

2 a : to assail with stinging words

b : drive, whip

lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech

—

lasher

noun

Recent Examples of lash from the Web

Some patients get very agitated by being disoriented, and might throw things or lash out at others.

— robert mccoppin, courant.com, "Music Can Call Back Loved Ones Lost In Alzheimer's Darkness," 22 June 2018
While both countries are technically allies, the last several years have seen a difficult relationship since the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, with Erdo?an frequently lashing out at the Jewish state over its policies regarding the Palestinians.

— sean savage, Jewish Journal, "Why is Washington seeking to block the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey?," 4 June 2018
So this decision to allow women to end their pregnancies up to the sixth month is the act of a resentful child lashing out at the parent who disappointed her, and an act of defiance more than a declaration of independence.

— christine m. flowers, Philly.com, "We won't back down from the fight to end abortion | Christine Flowers," 28 May 2018
However, the head of the NFL Players Association, the union that represents professional football players, lashed out at the league's decision, saying that it hadn't been consulted before the decision was made.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "NFL Will Fine Players Who Kneel In Protest During National Anthem," 24 May 2018
What Jessica can’t say on the stand is that Hannah tried to confront her about her rape at the party — and Jessica lashed out at her instead.

— refinery29.com, "R29 Binge Club: 13 Reasons Why, Season 2," 18 May 2018
But in recent years Xi Jinping, China’s president, has been lashing out at those parts of civil society—independent lawyers, for example—that try to help the likes of the aggrieved parents in Sichuan.

— The Economist, "A huge earthquake in China ten years ago was a turning point," 10 May 2018
Campaign spokesfolk for Republican Senate candidate (and also governor of our great state) Rick Scott and gubernatorial candidate and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam both lashed out at the decision in a Politico story.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Are you OK with Florida GOP hosting speech by Dinesh D'Souza, who mocked Parkland students?," 4 May 2018
The jaguar appears to lunge for its potential prey, but the anteater stands up, opens its arms wide, and lashes out at the jaguar with claw flashing.

— National Geographic, "Giant Anteater Faces Off With Jaguar, Leaves Unimpressed," 7 Mar. 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.