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

Then, in January of 1977, a kind of slow-burning whiplash struck the nation. —Wil Haygood, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

Wednesday's hearing followed a day of legal whiplash in federal court for the Texas law, known as S.B. 4. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2024

The shift has caused some whiplash for workers who spent years at big-name tech firms, many of which have long boasted some of the most competitive pay and benefits on the planet. —Brian Cheung, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024

The whiplash shifts in a largely siloed organization demoralized and infuriated employees. —Kenrick Cai, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

However, investors have complained about whiplash as China pursues its dual goals of development and security, with executives hearing warm words only to then see authorities probe consultancy firms, expand a vague anti-spy law and restrict access to data. —Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 27 Mar. 2024

Many within the Dodgers organization seemed shocked by the whiplash turn of events during the past 24 hours and were hesitant to speak about the issue that immediately sparked intense social media speculation. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

For scientists like Naomi Fraga, the director of conservation programs at the California Botanic Garden 30 miles east of Los Angeles, this sudden swing has felt like whiplash. —Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024

For Ojibwe tribes, warming winters, dwindling ice thickness and year-to-year whiplash is putting important treaty resources at risk. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)