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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The girl was allegedly burned with hot water, beaten and whipped, according to the outlets, citing probable cause documents from local police.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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And that’s even before his lighthouse keeper character whips out a delightfully goofy Scottish accent or a series of minimal but masterful props.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Extraterrestrial Easter Eggs and Fun Facts – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Pixar films hidden throughout Elio, along with other fun facts.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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One goalkeeper displayed his cues; the other ensured hers (and those of her opponent) remained hidden.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Federal grants for another pathway into teaching, Americorps’ Teach for America program, were also recently slashed by the Trump administration.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Even at a later point, a constituent said the president unilaterally slashed medical research at the National Institutes of Health and Congress did nothing.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Heeled, bubbled, square-toed, strapped or leathered out with metal accents like Longoria’s, the shape is proving its range.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Lucy Bronze’s icon status was reaffirmed throughout England’s 2025 European Championship-winning campaign — from strapping up her own leg in extra time to her absolutely leathering home a penalty in the quarter-final shootout win against Sweden.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Verb
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President Trump on Friday lashed out at the official who oversees government employment reports after its regular monthly report showed the job market softening significantly this summer in a possible warning sign of an impending recession.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
1 Aug. 2025
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The president also lashed out on social media against Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, urging the Senate Judiciary Committee chair to ditch a longstanding confirmation practice to expedite the process.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Horsewhip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horsewhip. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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