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

These whiplash policy decisions, along with a consumer slowdown, have been a nightmare for America’s biggest companies. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

While some warn that gold’s rally may be peaking, the broader view is clear: As long as global tensions simmer and policy whiplash rules, gold’s shine isn’t fading anytime soon. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2025

That means the whiplash on driving contact and sudden stopping in front of trailing defenders need to become a thing of the past. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

The whiplash from President Trump’s fresh tariff agenda has lasted into the weekend as Trump’s approval rating takes a dip as Republicans on Capitol Hill work to carry out his domestic agenda. —The Hill, 13 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)