lash 1 of 3

noun

Definition of lashnext
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument a sailor punished for disobedience with lashes from the captain's whip

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2
as in whip
a long thin or flexible tool for striking the rider repeatedly struck the horse with the lash to force it to go faster

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lash

2 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlash How to pronounce lash (audio)
1
as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible the cat's tail nervously lashed the table leg

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2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly all night long sheets of rain lashed the windows

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lash

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to tie
to prevent (someone or something) from moving freely by or as if by means of a line or cord The raft was made from several logs lashed together with a rope.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lash
Noun
Sinot then applied a smattering of rhinestones to Larsson's inner crease, but most of the sparkle was concentrated just past her outer lashes and up her temples in a wing-like shape. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026 The special effects team has done terrific work re-creating his body down to the creature’s fringed lashes. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
The snake tried to circle and squeeze, but the rat lashed with her claws and teeth. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 News of the briefing leaked, and the senators lashed out at the FBI, saying their efforts to scrutinize the Biden family had been discredited and falsely linked to Russian disinformation. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lash
  1. blow
  2. whip
  3. hide
  4. lick
  5. tie
  6. slap
  7. strap
  8. slash
Noun
  • Toney is one of the leaders on the team, so losing him before the biggest game of the regular season was a tough blow.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • While the announcement doesn’t guarantee that Eisenkot will be the next prime minister, Herzog’s decision is another blow to Netanyahu, who lost his parliamentary majority in the election.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Scalise, 61, has held key GOP leadership positions going back to 2014, serving as party whip and then as majority leader.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The loose straps on my backpack were snapping and slapping like whips.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of whip
Verb
  • Blending horror, satire and high school social politics, Cheerleaders centers on an elite Southern California high school cheerleading squad hiding the fact that its members have become the living dead.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Bank of Baroda, which was accused of helping hide the borrowing, settled before the ruling.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • Unfortunately for us, those tenants have evolved a sticky knack for evading eviction, creating a webbing known as biofilm that prevents them from being easily licked or swallowed away.
    — Mike McRae, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That’s not exactly chump change, considering Atlanta was still licking its wounds after the Great Depression.
    — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Vance isn’t the only prospective candidate tied to Trump with new problems after the midterms.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • He’s tied for the fourth-longest points streak to start a season in league history.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • Communicating entirely through percussive movements and sounds and enough slaps to make the Three Stooges envious, the wild-haired creatures mainly seem to be auditioning for their own big-screen spin-off to compete with the Minions.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
  • During initial ride tests, mechanical chain slap and drivetrain vibrations echoed loudly through the structure, creating a persistent clattering that detracts from any quiet ride through nature.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • During the arrest, officers noticed a brown satchel with a brown-and-black strap that Jones had been wearing during the livestream.
    — CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The loose straps on my backpack were snapping and slapping like whips.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of strap
Verb
  • Milei’s austerity drive has produced a rare budget surplus and slashed annual inflation from 200% to about 32%.
    — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The Catholic Church has criticized Milei’s austerity measures that have slashed social spending, and his embrace of artificial intelligence.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of slash

Browse Nearby Words

lasers
lash
lashed
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Cite this Entry

“Lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lash. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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