as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
the pirate captain threatened to horsewhip any of his crew who questioned his orders
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of horsewhip
The Speccie’s star columnist is the rudest man in Christendom, the Godzilla of contumely, an all-time non-sufferer of fools who horsewhips his targets the way Hunter S. Thompson and Christopher Hitchens once did.
—
Kyle Smith, National Review, 23 Apr. 2020
In reality, Watson wasn’t a bar fighter or famous for horsewhipping cowboys.
—Eliza McGraw, Smithsonian, 12 Mar. 2018
Kyle Smith, National Review, 23 Apr. 2020
In reality, Watson wasn’t a bar fighter or famous for horsewhipping cowboys.
—Eliza McGraw, Smithsonian, 12 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horsewhip
Verb
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And while public opinion was being whipped, a legal strategy kicked off behind the bench.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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This means that your desire to whip things in shape at home or with a family member might be ill-timed.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Justin Cappos, a professor of computer science at New York University, who studies software supply-chain security, likens the attack to a typewriter hiding a second message in plain sight.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2026
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As a main guideline, think about ribcage jeans as an opportunity to actually showcase your waist rather than hiding it.—
Dino Bonačić,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Add to this the fact that each hack, slash and gunshot loses its sting, thanks to the villains’ temporary immortality, and what you’re left with is a series of ideas for energetic action moments, strung together with little connective tissue.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
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In addition, businesses got all sorts of goodies, such as favorable treatment of expensing for research and development, while funding was slashed for health-care programs, food assistance and clean-energy projects.—
Robert Burgess,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Inside, the home features 10-foot coffered ceilings, white oak floors, and a kitchen with a La Cornue range and light leathered marble countertops.—
BusinessDen,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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The texture play looks cool and intentional, like an all-black outfit that layers leather with silk.—
Samantha Brash,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many Banksy fans mourned the loss of the mystery and lashed out at the news outlet.—
Laurie Kellman,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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Key European alliances in Germany, France and the United Kingdom all publicly rebuffed the president's demand for help securing critical passage of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the president to lash out at his allies and make escalatory threats against Iran.—
Justin Fishel,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Horsewhip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horsewhip. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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