lashed; lashing; lashes
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
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
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- birch
- cowhide
- flagellate
- flail
- flog
- hide
- horsewhip
- leather
- rawhide
- scourge
- slash
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- whale
- whip
Noun
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
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
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
After 2022, when the governor and regulators publicly lashed out at Demotech, lawmakers commissioned a $750,000 study to explore alternatives to the company.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
Why Chiricahua National Monument is worth visiting About 27 million years ago a savage volcanic event lashed this corner of the world.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
In the days after the order, Trump repeatedly lashed out at Merchan in social media posts that included information about the judge's adult daughter, who works for a consulting firm whose clients include Democratic candidates and progressive groups.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Topline Former President Donald Trump lashed out against Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan and his daughter, Loren Merchan, once again Thursday—an attack that comes just weeks ahead of Trump’s first criminal trial and two days after the judge issued a limited gag order in the case.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Through the use of sound (the storm lashes on throughout the night) and shadowy cinematography, a great sense of unease cloaks this taut bone-chiller, a chamber piece played to perfection by its two leads.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Hardly a day goes by when Trump isn’t lashing out at migrants who come into the United States illegally.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Rapinoe, justifiably hurt and angered by Albert, lashed out on Instagram.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Apr. 2024
Just a few swipes and my lashes are transformed with a softer, more natural look than black mascara provides for my skin tone.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
This was thanks to a double-winged eyeliner and Twiggy-esque bottom lashes– á la makeup artist Dee Carrion.
—Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
Castor oil: Sky Organics Castor Oil Sky Organics 8 oz Organic Castor Oil
$20 $14
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Castor oil is stocked with fatty acids that moisturize the scalp and increase blood circulation when massaged and may help with reviving hair on brows and lashes, says Leah Kay, lead stylist at Hair Lounge NYC.
—Jenn Barthole, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
The Lash Princess Mascara Primer Extra Length & Volume will protect your lashes while still giving you fuller lashes.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024
There are several lash loops along the side of the bag, providing versatile options for securing it to a boat or backpack.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
And this popular lash conditioner by Grande Cosmetics that hardly ever goes on sale is also marked down.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Organic Castor Oil TikTokers also say that castor oil is a great (but unofficial) lash serum.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Verb
The day’s exhilaration is short-lived, though, when Malik returns home to be confronted by a terrified mom, her tearful, angry lashing out suggesting that her increasing worry and her son’s boundless taste for freedom will soon become incompatible.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
After 2022, when the governor and regulators publicly lashed out at Demotech, lawmakers commissioned a $750,000 study to explore alternatives to the company.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
Why Chiricahua National Monument is worth visiting About 27 million years ago a savage volcanic event lashed this corner of the world.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
In the days after the order, Trump repeatedly lashed out at Merchan in social media posts that included information about the judge's adult daughter, who works for a consulting firm whose clients include Democratic candidates and progressive groups.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Topline Former President Donald Trump lashed out against Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan and his daughter, Loren Merchan, once again Thursday—an attack that comes just weeks ahead of Trump’s first criminal trial and two days after the judge issued a limited gag order in the case.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Through the use of sound (the storm lashes on throughout the night) and shadowy cinematography, a great sense of unease cloaks this taut bone-chiller, a chamber piece played to perfection by its two leads.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Hardly a day goes by when Trump isn’t lashing out at migrants who come into the United States illegally.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Rapinoe, justifiably hurt and angered by Albert, lashed out on Instagram.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
As usual, makeup artist Lauren Elise Child was behind Megan's precise brows, fluttery lashes, and a peachy rose blush, paired with a light wash of shadow on her lids.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Apr. 2024
Just a few swipes and my lashes are transformed with a softer, more natural look than black mascara provides for my skin tone.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
This was thanks to a double-winged eyeliner and Twiggy-esque bottom lashes– á la makeup artist Dee Carrion.
—Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
Castor oil: Sky Organics Castor Oil Sky Organics 8 oz Organic Castor Oil
$20 $14
Amazon
Castor oil is stocked with fatty acids that moisturize the scalp and increase blood circulation when massaged and may help with reviving hair on brows and lashes, says Leah Kay, lead stylist at Hair Lounge NYC.
—Jenn Barthole, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
The Lash Princess Mascara Primer Extra Length & Volume will protect your lashes while still giving you fuller lashes.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024
There are several lash loops along the side of the bag, providing versatile options for securing it to a boat or backpack.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
And this popular lash conditioner by Grande Cosmetics that hardly ever goes on sale is also marked down.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Organic Castor Oil TikTokers also say that castor oil is a great (but unofficial) lash serum.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lash
Cite this Entry
“Lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lash. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lash
1 of 3 verb1
: to move violently or suddenly
2
: to strike with or as if with a whip
3
: to attack with strong language
—usually used with out
lashed out at his sister
lash
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a stroke with a whip or switch
b
: the flexible part of a whip
also
: whip entry 2 sense 1
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3
: eyelash
lash
3 of 3 verb
: to tie down with a rope, cord, or chain
lasher
noun
Etymology
Verb
Middle English lassen "to move violently or suddenly"
Verb
Middle English lasschen "to lace," from early French lacer (same meaning), derived from Latin laqueare "to snare, catch in a noose," from laqueus "noose, snare" — related to lace, lasso entry 1 see Word History at lace
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