lynch

verb

ˈlinch 

lynched; lynching; lynches

transitive verb

: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal approval or permission

The accused killer was lynched by an angry mob.

lyncher noun

Examples of lynch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vigilante tradition in American culture In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, vigilantism was closely associated with anti-immigrant and anti-Black violence, most notoriously through lynching. — Daniel Lachance, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Converse is apologizing after landing in hot water this week after photos from two separate ad campaigns were criticized by social media users after aspects of the photos drew comparisons to Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching imagery. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

In 1935, Rubin Stacy, a Black farmworker, was lynched as a horde of white onlookers stood by. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2026

Randall Terry created political ads featuring images of aborted fetuses and people being lynched. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

after lynch law

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lynch

• lynch law
• lynch mob

Rhymes for lynch

• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• inch
• pinch
• synch
• winch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

Kids Definition

lynch

verb

ˈlinch 

: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal authority

lyncher noun

Legal Definition

lynch

transitive verb

ˈlinch 

: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction

lyncher noun