bash

1 of 2

verb

bashed; bashing; bashes

transitive verb

1
: to strike violently : hit
also : to injure or damage by striking : smash
often used with in
2
: to attack physically or verbally
media bashing
celebrity bashing
basher noun

bash

2 of 2

noun

1
: a forceful blow
2
: a festive social gathering : party
3
chiefly British : try, attempt
have a bash at it
Phrases
bash away
British, informal
: to work hard at something
That is exactly what I tell myself as I bash away in the gym …Jay Rayner
bash on
British, informal
: to continue to work at something : carry on
… I'm a lot less sure about what I'm meant to be, or do, in a time of undeniable middle age. I guess I will just bash on as ever, and hope I don't appear too ridiculous as I do so.Becky Sheaves
bash out
British, informal
: to produce (something) quickly : bang out
Three years ago Piaggio disappointed enthusiasts by axing the retro Vespa's production. But Indian company LML continued to bash out copies that flew out of the dealers, especially in Italy …Harriet Ridley
bash up
chiefly British, informal
: to attack (someone) physically : to hit (someone) repeatedly
Umpires being lampooned or even bashed up [=beaten up] in schools, college and league cricket is hardly rare.Ayaz Memon

Examples of bash in a Sentence

Verb I bashed my arm against the door. Someone bashed him over the head with a chair. They tried to bash the door open. Noun We threw her a birthday bash. She gave me a bash on the head.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The actress detailed her feelings about the Sony-Marvel film flopping at the box office and getting bashed by critics and fans as one of the worst modern superhero films ever made. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 Many users on social media are bashing Kinsley’s performance saying hurtful things, but some social media users are coming to Kinsley's defense and calling her passion for the national anthem patriotic. Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 In recent years, students linked to far-right groups have physically attacked other students over their liberal and secular views, bashing them with sledgehammers, iron rods and bricks. Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024 Lastly, there’s Tekken Ball, a goofy throwback mode from Tekken 3 where players bash each other into submission with a giant beach ball. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2024 One bar had been bashed in with a hammer while all the TVs were spray-painted with graffiti. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 The punchline was that one of the Estonians bashed the fish’s head with a rock, explaining that anything speaking Russian could not be trusted. Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 In full-on campaign mode, DeSantis bashed the Biden administration’s immigration policy, the size of the national debt, and high taxes and urban decay in New York, Illinois and California. Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024 More:Did special counsel cross the line in bashing Biden's memory? David Jackson, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024
Noun
Maher, according to sources, was furious that he was snubbed for the event — which was scheduled opposite the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s Night Before bash. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 The birthday bash itself was on a private island right in the heart of Sydney Harbour. 17. The Editors, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 Other stars on board for the memorial bash include Sheryl Crow, Jackson Browne, Zac Browne, Jackson Browne and Pitbull. Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 The transformation must have taken place between the time he was photographed at an Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers game on March 4 (his silver facial hair then on full display) and the Vanity Fair bash on March 11. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Three Doors Down on the turntable chanting their 2000 hit would furnish a fitting coda as the bash winds down. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 At one point during the big bash, Brittany even convinced Cowboys fan Post Malone to don a Chiefs jacket while performing for the crowd—much to the joy of spectators, who could be heard chanting her name. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2024 Hunter Schafer, for one, was spotted hitting up Billie Eilish’s private bash in West Hollywood wearing a 16Arlington tulle mini dress; Down at the Chateau Marmont, Selena Gomez and new boyfriend Benny Blanco also hit the town for the Grammys festivities. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024 Piet Levy Two veteran shock rockers are teaming up for a late-summer bash in Milwaukee. Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

Noun

noun derivative of bash entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bash was in 1744

Dictionary Entries Near bash

Cite this Entry

“Bash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bash. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bash

verb
ˈbash
1
: to strike violently : beat
2
: to smash by a blow
3

More from Merriam-Webster on bash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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