lash
1 of 3verb (1)
ˈlash 
lashed; lashing; lashes
intransitive verb
1
: to move violently or suddenly : dash
2
: to thrash or beat violently
rain lashed at the windowpanes
3
: to make a verbal attack or retort —usually used with out
transitive verb
1
a
: to whip or fling about violently
the big cat lashed its tail about threateningly
b
: to strike or beat with or as if with a whip
waves lashed the shore
2
a
: to assail with stinging words
b
: drive, whip
lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech
lash
2 of 3noun
1
a(1)
: a stroke with or as if with a whip
(2)
: the flexible part of a whip
also : whip
b
: punishment by whipping
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3
: a stinging rebuke
4
: eyelash
5
: the clearance or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts
lash
3 of 3verb (2)
lashed; lashing; lashes
transitive verb
: to bind with or as if with a line
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- birch
- cowhide
- flagellate
- flail
- flog
- hide
- horsewhip
- leather
- rawhide
- scourge
- slash
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- whale
- whip
Noun
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun They gave the sailor 50 lashes for disobeying orders. The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Snierson, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Even as Utah lawmakers lash out against L.A.'s hydrogen conversion, Ward says the local governments that share in the coal plant’s riches have figured out how to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Biaggi, 36, has seized on both dynamics to lash Maloney as a notably self-interested politician who does not grasp the urgency of the moment. Nicholas Fandos, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2022 This lurid language is a cousin to the theological zealotry that inspires radicals to lash out against writers. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 His manner is restless and impatient, full of stop-start rhythms, and of characters who coil themselves up in rumination and then, without warning, lash out or lunge across the frame. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 July 2022 Instead, the employee will complain to a colleague, do extra or unnecessary work, or lash out angrily. Gary Drenik, Forbes, 15 June 2022 Some American officials suspect that what is really driving China’s president to lash out recently is a desire to divert attention from his economic and pandemic problems at home. New York Times, 27 July 2022 Critics would lash out at Democrats as unpatriotic Americans who support terrorism. Dean Obeidallah, CNN, 7 Aug. 2022 Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 Her makeup artist used black eye shadow and eyeliner to blend through her bottom lash line, which then soared high above her fluttering top lashes. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 8 Sep. 2022 Florence’s makeup artist, Valeria Ferreira, smoked out her copper eye look by adding a smudge of brown liner across her lash line to add definition. Elle Turner, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2022 Trees that withstood the furious onslaught writhed and twisted under the lash of the wind. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 13 July 2022 Pink glitter serves as her eyeliner, which rims both lash lines and extends outward into a baby wing. Addison Aloian, Allure, 3 Mar. 2022 To create a grungy smokey eye, draw it on your lash line — top and bottom — and then use your finger to smudge it. Jessica Ourisman, Allure, 22 Aug. 2022 Rim your lash line with Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision EyeDefiner in Noir Black($32). Emma Carmichael, ELLE, 15 Aug. 2022 Just ask the millions (yes, millions) of TikTok users who are currently viewing and sharing compelling product review videos documenting the very best lash growth serums that money can buy. Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Verb
Chuck begins to lash out defensively at Jimmy before noticing the hearing board staring at him. Dan Snierson, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Even as Utah lawmakers lash out against L.A.'s hydrogen conversion, Ward says the local governments that share in the coal plant’s riches have figured out how to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Biaggi, 36, has seized on both dynamics to lash Maloney as a notably self-interested politician who does not grasp the urgency of the moment. Nicholas Fandos, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2022 This lurid language is a cousin to the theological zealotry that inspires radicals to lash out against writers. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 His manner is restless and impatient, full of stop-start rhythms, and of characters who coil themselves up in rumination and then, without warning, lash out or lunge across the frame. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 July 2022 Instead, the employee will complain to a colleague, do extra or unnecessary work, or lash out angrily. Gary Drenik, Forbes, 15 June 2022 Some American officials suspect that what is really driving China’s president to lash out recently is a desire to divert attention from his economic and pandemic problems at home. New York Times, 27 July 2022 Critics would lash out at Democrats as unpatriotic Americans who support terrorism. Dean Obeidallah, CNN, 7 Aug. 2022 Noun
As for the eyes, Hernandez mixed warm shades of the Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow to create a soft wash on the outer corners of her eyes and defined the lash line with the Smooth Silk Eyeliner. Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 Her makeup artist used black eye shadow and eyeliner to blend through her bottom lash line, which then soared high above her fluttering top lashes. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 8 Sep. 2022 Florence’s makeup artist, Valeria Ferreira, smoked out her copper eye look by adding a smudge of brown liner across her lash line to add definition. Elle Turner, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2022 Trees that withstood the furious onslaught writhed and twisted under the lash of the wind. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 13 July 2022 Pink glitter serves as her eyeliner, which rims both lash lines and extends outward into a baby wing. Addison Aloian, Allure, 3 Mar. 2022 To create a grungy smokey eye, draw it on your lash line — top and bottom — and then use your finger to smudge it. Jessica Ourisman, Allure, 22 Aug. 2022 Rim your lash line with Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision EyeDefiner in Noir Black($32). Emma Carmichael, ELLE, 15 Aug. 2022 Just ask the millions (yes, millions) of TikTok users who are currently viewing and sharing compelling product review videos documenting the very best lash growth serums that money can buy. Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English
Verb (2)
Middle English lasschyn to lace, from Anglo-French lacer, lasser — more at lace
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb (2)
1624, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing lash
Kids Definition
lash 1 of 3
verb
ˈlash
lashed; lashing
1
: to hit with a whip
The rider lashed his horse.
2
: to move forcefully from side to side
The animal lashed his tail about.
3
: to hit with force
Rain lashed the windows.
4
: to make a sudden and angry attack against
He lashed out at his critics.
lash
2 of 3noun
1
: a blow with a whip or switch The pirate received 20 lashes.
2
: the flexible part of a whip
3
: eyelash
lash
3 of 3verb
lashed; lashing
: to tie or tie down with a rope or chain
The first thing Timothy did was to lash our water keg high on a palm trunk. Theodore Taylor, The Cay
Theodore Taylor, The Cay Medical Definition
lash
noun
ˈlash
: eyelash
lash 1 of 3
noun
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- blow
- slap
- punch
- thump
- swipe
- hit
- stroke
- whack
- knock
- spank
- smack
- poke
- thud
- lick
- bang
- pound
- beat
- slam
- hook
- clip
- clap
- chop
- bat
- swat
- welt
- pelt
- belt
- switch
- kick
- thwack
- cuff
- stripe
- crack
- bash
- stinger
- dab
- plump
- smash
- sock
- biff
- whop
- bop
- wham
- wallop
- haymaker
- box
- douse
- slug
- knee
- hack
- swing
- pick
- licking
- clout
- rap
- fillip
- buffet
- hand
- bust
- beating
- pounding
- whip
- whipping
- whap
- larrup
- left
- hammering
- counterstroke
- right
- body blow
- shiver
- counter
- flogging
- battering
- bastinado
- thrashing
- knockdown
- counterblow
- uppercut
- counterpunch
- bludgeoning
- roundhouse
- pummeling
- sucker punch
- clobbering
- rabbit punch
- cruncher
- sidewinder
- knockout
- walloping
- pummelling
- drubbing
- cudgelling
- cudgeling
- kayo
- one-two
- lambasting
- pasting
- right-hander
- bastinade
- KO
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- whip
- strap
- flogger
- cane
- baton
- knout
- scourge
- bat
- switch
- quirt
- birch
- bullwhip
- hickory
- rattan
- crop
- blacksnake
- bastinado
- rawhide
- bludgeon
- billy
- flail
- cudgel
- cowhide
- nightstick
- cat-o'-nine-tails
- staff
- billy club
- club
- bastinade
lash
2 of 3verb (1)
1
as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible the cat's tail nervously lashed the table leg Synonyms & Similar Words
- whip
- hide
- slash
- slap
- flick
- leather
- horsewhip
- scourge
- switch
- cut
- spank
- hit
- flail
- flog
- birch
- bat
- punch
- flagellate
- thrash
- tan
- strap
- knock
- lick
- smack
- bang
- rawhide
- knout
- maul
- cowhide
- whale
- quirt
- whack
- swipe
- clip
- pound
- cane
- clap
- beat
- thump
- swat
- pelt
- box
- cudgel
- thwack
- smite
- paddle
- hammer
- club
- crack
- cuff
- bash
- pummel
- clobber
- bung
- bludgeon
- batter
- sock
- wallop
- belt
- touch up
- bop
- rough
- slug
- lather
- lam
- clout
- blackjack
- drub
- paste
- whop
- lace
- mangle
- fustigate
- lambaste
- bust
- work over
- pommel
- buffet
- baste
- slate
- pistol-whip
- fib
- slog
- thresh
- whap
- whup
- belabor
- lambast
- tromp
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly all night long sheets of rain lashed the windows Synonyms & Similar Words
- whip
- lick
- pelt
- hide
- slap
- pound
- bat
- batter
- punch
- beat
- spank
- attack
- thump
- hit
- assault
- knock
- do
- maul
- storm
- chop
- paddle
- hammer
- smash
- slam
- pummel
- smack
- bash
- bludgeon
- flog
- punch out
- birch
- belt
- lather
- thrash
- wallop
- raid
- tan
- curry
- whack
- switch
- swipe
- box
- club
- wound
- lace
- pommel
- work over
- whale
- buffet
- drub
- baste
- whop
- strap
- slate
- fib
- slog
- lambaste
- swat
- bung up
- whap
- thresh
- thwack
- crack
- belabor
- lambast
- rush
- tromp
- cudgel
- cuff
- cane
- assail
- scourge
- whup
- leather
- wham
- beat up on
- sock
- flagellate
- lam
- paste
- clout
- clobber
- rough (up)
- horsewhip
- lacerate
- lay on
- mess (up)
- beset
- rawhide
- gore
- bust
- cowhide
- descend (on or upon)
- blackjack
- maim
- mutilate
- fustigate
- whomp
- mangle
- pounce (on or upon)
- pistol-whip
- jump (on)
lash
3 of 3verb (2)
as in to strap
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. Synonyms & Similar Words
- strap
- tie
- knot
- tether
- rope
- leash
- cord
- wire
- truss
- bind
- coil
- band
- wind
- snarl
- cinch
- thread
- tangle
- girt
- lace
- twist
- gird
- intertwine
- entangle
- interlace
- interweave
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unleash
- untie
- undo
- unloose
- unfasten
- unbind
- unlace
- unstrap
- untwist
- unloosen
- unravel
- unsnarl
- unstring
- untether
- unwind
- uncoil
- disentangle
- unlash
- untangle
- unthread
- untwine
- unspool
- parabiosis
- parabiotic
- parabiotically
- parablasts
- parable
- parabled
- parablepses
- parablepsia
- parablepsias
- parablepsies
- parablepsis
- parablepsy
- parables
- parabling
- parabola
- parabolani
- parabolanus
- parabolanuses
- parabolas
- paraboles
- parabolic
- parabolic cylinder
- parabolic geometry
- parabolic mirror
- parabolic reflector