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

Around Washington, the daily whiplash has become routine. —Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Aug. 2025

The whiplash between goofy stories and the crescendoing grief ultimately delivers a lasting message: that comedy, humor and joy are necessary parts of experiencing loss. —Julia Schiff, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025

The destabilizing effects of draconian immigration policies, along with the whiplash of tariffs and harmful cuts to federal small business programs, undermine our nation’s economic future. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 July 2025

The whiplash for Big Tech will persist as companies navigate a patchwork of state-level laws. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 28 July 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)