lashed; lashing; lashes
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
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
Examples of lash in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the cat's tail nervously lashed the table leg
all night long sheets of rain lashed the windows
Noun
They gave the sailor 50 lashes for disobeying orders.
The disobedient sailors were threatened with the lash.
Recent Examples on the Web
Antonio Losada, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Trump has also lashed out at China over its restrictions on rare earth exports and his administration is launching a probe looking into whether China complied with a trade agreement from 2019.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Charlotte Tilbury only just launched at Amazon, but this best-selling liquid highlighter is already marked down, as is this Lancôme mascara that defines, volumizes, and lengthens lashes in one fell swoop.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lash
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Verb
During the post-fight interviews, a frustrated Aspinall had lashed out inside the Octagon after the stoppage, swearing at the crowd for jeering him.
—Antonio Losada, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Trump has also lashed out at China over its restrictions on rare earth exports and his administration is launching a probe looking into whether China complied with a trade agreement from 2019.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Moretz wore her hallmark blond hair in loose waves and opted for long, fluttery lashes and a glossy pink lip.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Charlotte Tilbury only just launched at Amazon, but this best-selling liquid highlighter is already marked down, as is this Lancôme mascara that defines, volumizes, and lengthens lashes in one fell swoop.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lash
Cite this Entry
“Lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lash. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lash
1 of 3 verb1
: to move violently or suddenly
2
: to strike with or as if with a whip
3
: to attack with strong language
—usually used with out
lashed out at his sister
lash
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a stroke with a whip or switch
b
: the flexible part of a whip
also
: whip entry 2 sense 1
2
: a beating, whipping, or driving force
3
: eyelash
lash
3 of 3 verb
: to tie down with a rope, cord, or chain
lasher
noun
Etymology
Verb
Middle English lassen "to move violently or suddenly"
Verb
Middle English lasschen "to lace," from early French lacer (same meaning), derived from Latin laqueare "to snare, catch in a noose," from laqueus "noose, snare" — related to lace, lasso entry 1 see Word History at lace
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