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to lash

to lash

60 3.9
To move something quickly from side to side
  • verb
  • /læʃ/
translation icon : sacudir
  • As the storm intensified, the wind started to lash against the windows wildly.

Examples

  • He could hardly contain his excitement and lashed his arms around in joy.

  • Sometimes Jet would lash out at Bill for no apparent reason at all.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • What do you think would happen if you lashed out at him?

  • Devon, 13, says that not long ago, a friend lashed out at her in a Facebook post.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A wounded animal lashes out and now she's not alone.

  • The dragon lashed his tail till stones broke and trees crashed about him.

  • Hector is acting the part of some trapped wild animal, lashing out at the hunters surrounding him.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The frost minion lashed out, knocking the sheet of metal from its hinges.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • An anachronistic regime has alienated us by lashing out, by seeking to repress an irrepressible spirit.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Anti-Assad Sunnis and Maronites lashed out in anger at hapless Syrian laborers in the country.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to jerk
vsto lash
217 2.0

To move something suddenly and sharply

is quicker swinging motion often showing agitation rather than a single sharp move
to whip
vsto lash
99 3.4

To move or swing quickly in a sudden way like a flag

is sudden swinging that signals excitement or agitation with strong force
to thrash
vsto lash
24 5.8

Move or swing violently without control

is violent swinging often used as a sign of agitation or excitement
to flail
vsto lash
  • NSFW
6 7.6

To hit someone or something many times violently

involves wide violent swings that often show agitation rather than striking
to thrash about
vsto lash
1 6.1

Move the body violently when in pain or fear

is violent swinging that often shows agitation or excited feeling

Antonyms

962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

12 4.2

To make quiet or calm

Phrasal Verbs

71 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

To tie things together with rope to hold them in place

Compounds

lash-up
  • UK
1 8.9

A temporary structure people build quickly from things at hand

How Violent

to flail
38 5.8
to lash
60 3.9
swing
109 1.0
to sway
77 2.4

Surface Forms

lash infinitive
lashing present participle
lashes third person singular
lashed past
lashed past participle

Etymology

To lash in the sense of moving or swinging quickly comes from the swinging action of a whip or an animal's tail. Picture the whip end or a tail whipping about, and you remember that to lash is to swing or beat violently.