Synonyms of birch

birch 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to hide

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible

students at the private school were once routinely birched for violating the rules

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hide
• leather
• whip
• slash
• cowhide
• tan
• lash
• switch
• rawhide
• whale
• horsewhip
• cut
• scourge
• flagellate
• knock
• spank
• flick
• hit
• thrash
• punch
• bat
• lick
• slap
• flail
• cane
• maul
• flog
• smack
• pound
• bang
• strap
• box
• quirt
• whack
• clip
• swipe
• clap
• knout
• pelt
• thump
• beat
• club
• sock
• cudgel
• slate
• swat
• touch up
• paddle
• blackjack
• slug
• rough
• batter
• lace
• cuff
• buffet
• thwack
• hammer
• crack
• lam
• paste
• pommel
• bop
• belt
• clout
• work over
• bash
• bung
• bludgeon
• clobber
• pummel
• smite
• lather
• mangle
• wallop
• drub
• thresh
• fustigate
• fib
• bust
• whop
• baste
• pistol-whip
• tromp
• whup
• slog
• belabor
• lambaste

2

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

always a stern disciplinarian, our father birched anyone who talked back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• lash
• pound
• hide
• pelt
• whip
• batter
• knock
• bat
• punch
• beat
• spank
• hit
• assault
• attack
• slate
• thump
• slap
• do
• tan
• paddle
• curry
• maul
• chop
• punch out
• box
• lace
• buffet
• smash
• club
• whale
• hammer
• slam
• pommel
• belt
• work over
• smack
• bludgeon
• switch
• thrash
• pummel
• lather
• bash
• drub
• raid
• thresh
• bung up
• wound
• wallop
• fib
• rough (up)
• storm
• leather
• beat up on
• whack
• flog
• whop
• cane
• baste
• tromp
• swipe
• whup
• sock
• slog
• belabor
• mess (up)
• lambaste
• cudgel
• descend (on or upon)
• crack
• swat
• lay on
• strap
• cuff
• jump (on)
• thwack
• paste
• rawhide
• lam
• cowhide
• rush
• pounce (on or upon)
• horsewhip
• clout
• scourge
• flagellate
• wham
• clobber
• blackjack
• assail
• beset
• whomp
• gore
• lacerate
• bust
• mutilate
• mangle
• maim
• fustigate
• pistol-whip

birch

2 of 2

noun

as in hickory

Related Words

• hickory
• rattan
• knout
• rawhide
• strap
• cowhide
• quirt
• crop
• bullwhip
• blacksnake
• whip
• flogger
• cane
• lash
• cat-o'-nine-tails
• billy
• switch
• baton
• scourge
• cudgel
• billy club
• bat
• bludgeon
• bastinado
• flail
• staff
• nightstick
• club

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of birch

Verb

During most of the year, merlins inhabit open country ranging from marshlands to deserts, but many breed in conifer and birch woods. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

The fungus and wood fiber combination was applied in thin coats on the surfaces of two types of paper, denim, polyester felt and birch wood veneer, and left in an oven to dry for a day. — New Atlas, 15 Nov. 2025

Noun

Some species don’t have the option of turning different colors … birch trees turn a yellow every year. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

With $3 Miller High Lifes, birch beer on tap and Yoo-Hoo a suggested pairing, Hiram’s is a throwback to a simpler (and cheaper) time. — Matt Cortina, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026