whiplash
noun
whip·lash
ˈ(h)wip-ˌlash 
1
: the lash of a whip
2
: something resembling a blow from a whip
the whiplash of fear—
R. S. Banay
R. S. Banay3
: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck from the rear by another vehicle)
Examples of whiplash in a Sentence
He got whiplash when his car was rear-ended.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scrolling through the hundreds of videos of or about Bill Burr on YouTube can cause whiplash.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 31 July 2025
The turbulence created by the tariff whiplash has exposed these flaws more clearly than ever, and should prompt a thorough reassessment of the value of such pronouncements.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The emotional whiplash of that day is a microcosm of Nohos’ college career, which began at Division III Loras and continued at Division I Illinois-Chicago as the velocity on his fastball increased dramatically.
—Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
The volatility also comes amid the expectation of a peak shipping season that came and went earlier than usual due to the tariff whiplash.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiplash
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Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 31 July 2025
The turbulence created by the tariff whiplash has exposed these flaws more clearly than ever, and should prompt a thorough reassessment of the value of such pronouncements.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The emotional whiplash of that day is a microcosm of Nohos’ college career, which began at Division III Loras and continued at Division I Illinois-Chicago as the velocity on his fastball increased dramatically.
—Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
The volatility also comes amid the expectation of a peak shipping season that came and went earlier than usual due to the tariff whiplash.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiplash
Cite this Entry
“Whiplash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiplash. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whiplash
noun
whip·lash
-ˌlash
1
: the lash of a whip
2
: injury resulting from a sudden sharp jerking movement of the head and neck (as of a person in a car that is struck from behind by another car)
Medical Definition
whiplash
noun
whip·lash
ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip-
: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck head-on or from the rear by another vehicle)
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