lambaste
verb
-ˈbast
Did you know?
The origins of lambaste (which can also be spelled lambast) are somewhat uncertain, but the word was most likely formed by combining the verbs lam and baste, both of which mean “to beat severely.” (This baste is unrelated to either the sewing or cooking one.) Although lambaste started out in the 1600s meaning “to assault violently,” English speakers were by the 1800s applying it in cases involving harsh attacks made with words rather than fists. This new sense clearly struck a chord; after fighting its way into the lexicon, lambaste has held fast ever since.
Examples of lambaste in a Sentence
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
Trump has repeatedly lambasted Labour’s approach to North Sea oil and gas production, arguing that Britain is unnecessarily restricting domestic energy supplies.
—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
24 June 2026
The comments were immediately lambasted online by parents and some other founders.
—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
In 2021, a federal judge lambasted McGee's work on the Alfonso Rodriguez case.
—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lambaste
Cite this Entry
“Lambaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lambaste
verb
