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
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
In a scene based on a real incident that crystallized some of the public’s reaction to Bardot at the time, a cleaning lady lashes out at the star’s character in an elevator, angry over her promiscuity while the maid’s brother is fighting in the Algerian War.
—Lee Smith, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025
Once her nose is in place, Elvira gets an eyelash transplant whereby the same doctor threads fake lashes through her lower eyelid.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lash
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Verb
After her mani-pedi was complete, and the beautician had given her a coffee per usual, the pair were going to move on to brows and lashes when the woman asked to use the bathroom.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
In a scene based on a real incident that crystallized some of the public’s reaction to Bardot at the time, a cleaning lady lashes out at the star’s character in an elevator, angry over her promiscuity while the maid’s brother is fighting in the Algerian War.
—Lee Smith, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025
Noun
The final level is where The Look Studio is situated, offering semipermanent makeup, lash lifts and brow shaping.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025
Once her nose is in place, Elvira gets an eyelash transplant whereby the same doctor threads fake lashes through her lower eyelid.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 Dec. 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 Dec. 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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