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Glite Dictionary
to lash out

to lash out

71 5.6
Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing
  • phrasal verb
  • /læʃ aʊt/
translation icon : arremeter contra
  • She lashed out at any kid who would bully him.
  • lash out in anger
  • lash out verbally

They just rage and lash out with very little regard for other people.

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Examples

  • Some people cry, some people laugh, and some people lash out in anger.

  • I lash out when I'm nervous.

    Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

  • So when they sense they need you, they lash out at you, the thing that they need.

    DoctorRamani

  • What do you think would happen if you lashed out at him?

    Sunrise in Heaven (2019)

  • Both he and Trump lash out if they face actual criticism, the actual voice of other people.

  • When people envy you or fear you, they lash out against you.

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

    Academic text (2011)

  • I'm sorry I lashed out at you, but I just don't see why we have to share our house with every stupid relative we have.

    Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)

  • Your spouse lashed out in anger against you when you had done no apparent wrong.

  • After losing the game, he lashed out at the referee for making poor decisions.

Synonyms

to attack
vsto lash out
597 3.4

To strongly criticize someone or something in public

is a sudden angry verbal outburst rather than measured condemnation
to yell at
vsto lash out
379 1.4

Shout in an angry voice at someone

is a sudden angry verbal attack focused on criticizing rather than shouting
to explode
vsto lash out
187 3.5

To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger

is sudden anger expressed as a direct verbal attack
to spit
vsto lash out
  • Informal
99 6.3

To say words quickly and angrily to show strong dislike

is a sudden harsh verbal attack rather than merely contemptuous speech
to rant
vsto lash out
  • Informal
70 4.8

To speak loudly and angrily for a long time

is a quick angry attack rather than a long angry speech
to blast
vsto lash out
  • Literature
61 5.3

To strongly criticize someone in public

is a sudden angry verbal assault rather than planned public critique
to round
vsto lash out
47 8.2

Attack someone sharply in speech or writing

is sudden too but not focused on being unexpected
to assault
vsto lash out
29 5.8

To attack someone strongly in speech or writing

is sudden angry action in words rather than a measured critique
to mouth off
vsto lash out
  • Informal
28 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

is sudden angry criticism, not only rude or disrespectful speech
to snarl
vsto lash out
21 5.8

To say something in an angry, sharp voice

is an angry sudden verbal attack aimed to blame or hurt
to assail
vsto lash out
  • Formal
16 8.0

To attack violently, upset someone deeply or criticize them strongly

is a sudden angry verbal attack rather than any physical action
to chew out
vsto lash out
  • Informal
13 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

is a sudden angry attack, not always a formal reprimand
to snipe
vsto lash out
11 7.7

To criticize someone in a sly, indirect way

is direct and sudden criticism rather than sly indirect remarks
to excoriate
vsto lash out
  • Literature
9 9.8

To criticize someone or something very harshly in public

is sudden and angry rather than only public harsh criticism
to tear into
vsto lash out
  • Informal
4 7.4

To attack or criticize someone strongly

is sudden angry verbal action rather than only sustained force
to put on blast
vsto lash out
  • Offensive
3 9.5

Say bad things about someone in public to show others what they did

is an immediate angry verbal attack, not only a public shame
to fulminate
vsto lash out
  • Formal
1 9.0

To speak or write very angrily against something to show strong criticism

is a sudden angry attack aimed directly at people or groups
to rip someone's head off
vsto lash out
  • Offensive
1 8.5

Shout at someone in a very angry way and threaten them

is a sudden verbal attack used to criticize rather than threaten
to roar back
vsto lash out
1 6.9

To reply loudly and angrily to someone who insults you

is usually an initial sudden offensive attack, not a defensive reply
to pop off
vsto lash out
  • Informal
1 8.1

To suddenly say something angry without warning

is a sudden angry verbal attack rather than mere abrupt speech
to go off on one
vsto lash out
  • UK
1 9.9

To suddenly get very angry and speak loudly for a long time

is a sudden critical outburst that need not last long
to blaze away
vsto lash out
  • Informal
1 7.5

To speak angrily and strongly to criticize someone

is an abrupt angry attack, not merely energetic ongoing speech
to fulminate against
vsto lash out
  • Formal
1 9.9

Angrily criticize someone or something

is a sudden personal verbal attack rather than formal denunciation
to hit out at
vsto lash out
  • UK
1 6.7

To criticize someone or something strongly in public

is sudden angry speech targeted at someone rather than planned critique
to bite out
vsto lash out
  • Informal
7.5

Say something suddenly and sharply when angry or annoyed

is an immediate angry verbal attack, not only brief harsh words
to snap someone's head off
vsto lash out
  • Offensive
8.0

To speak to someone in a sudden angry way without good reason

is a sudden aggressive verbal attack that can start conflict
to lace into
vsto lash out
  • NSFW
8.5

Criticize or attack someone strongly

is sudden verbal aggression rather than violent physical action
to throw brickbats
vsto lash out
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

is a sudden angry attack often delivered immediately rather than commentary
to bawl out
vsto lash out
  • Informal
6.7

Shout loudly at someone because they did something wrong

is sudden attacking speech, not merely a stern reprimand
piece of someone's mind
vsto lash out
  • Informal
7.5

Tell someone angrily that you are unhappy with them

is a sudden aggressive verbal attack rather than measured bluntness
to eat someone's head off
vsto lash out
  • Informal
9.1

To speak angrily to someone and criticize them

is a sudden attacking speech aimed to criticize rather than ongoing rage
to spit poison
vsto lash out
  • Informal
7.9

Say very angry, hurtful things to someone to hurt them

is a sudden angry verbal attack without necessarily poisonous bitterness

Antonyms

to defend
691 2.8

To speak up to support a person or idea when others criticize it

to praise
331 1.0

To tell a person that you admire or approve of them

How Angry

to vilify
43 7.9
to scold
55 2.2
to lash out
71 5.6
to criticize
701 3.3
to complain
∞ 1.0
to grumble
41 3.7

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

lash + out

The components 'lash' (to strike) and 'out' (outward) convey a forceful outward action so learners can infer an aggressive act; however the common sense 'to suddenly criticize or attack verbally' is a metaphorical extension from physical striking. Because the speech-specific and sudden nature of the meaning is not fully predictable from the parts without exposure, this is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Lash out may come from the image of a person using a lash, a type of whip, to strike quickly out. That sudden outward strike became a picture for someone suddenly 'attacking' or 'criticizing' another with words, so today it means to angrily say or do something against someone.