as in straps
a long thin or flexible tool for striking
a 100-year-old whip that was once used by a coachman
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in hides
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
whipped the animal when it did not move fast enough to please him
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in bombs
to defeat by a large margin
we whipped them 13-0 in the last game
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in swings
to change the course or direction of (something)
any more complaints and I'm whipping this car around and heading back home
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in licks
to strike repeatedly
huge raindrops whipped the windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 whips
Mayank Kejriwal, The Conversation, 10 June 2026
And when the wind whips, the air reeks of a potent campfire — but no campers are around.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Debris slams against the other side, whips beneath the door, slashing cuts into Jones’ and the doctor’s ankles.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Willow whips, vines and shorter branches will not be picked up during brush collection.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
His tail whips against the stalks of flowers planted by the woman who recently moved there with him.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Johnson is one of two majority whips.
—Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
As the wind whips, many tents blow over and collapse.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Wind whips ferociously, kicking up gusts of powdery snow.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
In the fourth minute, Meschack Elia whips a ball across the box to Bakambu, eight yards from goal.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Stephen Fry whips out his phone to snag a picture with Johnny Knoxville inside the Fox Upfront 2026 afterparty in New York City on May 11.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Like many a cat lover, Baseman whips out a phone to share videos of his beloved feline muses.
—Iris Kwok
may 12, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The ride travels on an elliptical track and whips riders around bends.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Those of us who love her were able to finally take a breather on this one when the film bros eventually shut up and were able to admit that Hathaway totally whips ass in this franchise closer.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.
—Terell Bailey, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
In our study, leadership included the speaker, party leaders, whips, caucus or conference chairs, and committee chairs or ranking members.
—Mayank Kejriwal, The Conversation, 10 June 2026
And when the wind whips, the air reeks of a potent campfire — but no campers are around.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Debris slams against the other side, whips beneath the door, slashing cuts into Jones’ and the doctor’s ankles.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Willow whips, vines and shorter branches will not be picked up during brush collection.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
His tail whips against the stalks of flowers planted by the woman who recently moved there with him.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Johnson is one of two majority whips.
—Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
As the wind whips, many tents blow over and collapse.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Wind whips ferociously, kicking up gusts of powdery snow.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
The vessel bends, blocks, and whips the wind into complex micro-currents before the air ever hits the sails.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
In the fourth minute, Meschack Elia whips a ball across the box to Bakambu, eight yards from goal.
—Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
Stephen Fry whips out his phone to snag a picture with Johnny Knoxville inside the Fox Upfront 2026 afterparty in New York City on May 11.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Like many a cat lover, Baseman whips out a phone to share videos of his beloved feline muses.
—Iris Kwok
may 12, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The ride travels on an elliptical track and whips riders around bends.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Those of us who love her were able to finally take a breather on this one when the film bros eventually shut up and were able to admit that Hathaway totally whips ass in this franchise closer.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.
—Terell Bailey, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whips
Noun
-
With adjustable straps, a thick elastic band, empire waist, and a ruffle trim, this Grace Karin maxi will become the most versatile dress in your closet.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
-
The shoes are crafted with four scalloped straps that wrap the front of the foot, and are decorated with rows of sparkly crystals.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Achieving it in reality would be brutally hard because the target moves, hides, jams, uses decoys, and fights back.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
Namely, the Bavarian flag hides a red Nazi flag, and someone also covered up soldiers, Nazi salutes by passersby, and wreaths on the Mahnmal der Bewegung monument.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The campus is eerily silent, even as Israel attacks Lebanon and the United States bombs Iran.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
The United States bombs Iran's nuclear facilities days later.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of those handle halves folding around close to 180 degrees to reveal a central set of pliers like many other Leathermans do, one of the Crunch's handles pulls out and swings downward via an internal arm to reveal the pliers, which in turn swing into position.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
-
The thought swings through her, like a burning stick through night air.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s flag before the 1979 revolution — green, white and red with a lion and a rising sun — flutters from many overhangs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (center) flutters a Venezuelan and Cuban national flags in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The edible fruit can be used to make jelly, but watch for thorns on the shrub’s canes.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
27 May 2026
-
More to Explore Many of the human props—canes, top hats, desks—used in primate taxidermy became unfashionable in the first half of the nineteenth century, but there were still throwbacks.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The process cuts down air pollution and slashes industrial water consumption.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
-
Rivian slashes service wait times.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whips. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
