whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈ(h)wip-ˌlash 

1

: the lash of a whip

2

: something resembling a blow from a whip

the whiplash of fear

—R. S. Banay

3

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck from the rear by another vehicle)

Examples of whiplash in a Sentence

He got whiplash when his car was rear-ended.

Recent Examples on the Web

The whole up and down is giving the industry a case of whiplash. —Robert Ferris, CNBC, 16 May 2025

This kind of rhetorical whiplash doesn’t sit right. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

Of the main characters, Overcompensating is less successful at making Miles into much more than an enticing object of affection for Benny, while the whiplash attempts to develop Peter don’t do DiMarco any favors. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025

Queen City breweries, too, are dealing with the severe whiplash brought on by the uncertainty of when, if and for how long the tariffs will be in effect. —Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for whiplash

• backlash
• chumash
• eyelash
• moustache
• mustache
• noncash
• potash
• rehash
• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache

Kids Definition

whiplash

noun

whip·​lash -ˌlash 

1

: the lash of a whip

2

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp jerking movement of the head and neck (as of a person in a car that is struck from behind by another car)

Medical Definition

whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip- 

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck head-on or from the rear by another vehicle)