lambaste
verb
-ˈbast
Did you know?
The origins of lambaste (which can also be spelled lambast) are somewhat uncertain, but the word was most likely formed by combining the verbs lam and baste, both of which mean “to beat severely.” (This baste is unrelated to either the sewing or cooking one.) Although lambaste started out in the 1600s meaning “to assault violently,” English speakers were by the 1800s applying it in cases involving harsh attacks made with words rather than fists. This new sense clearly struck a chord; after fighting its way into the lexicon, lambaste has held fast ever since.
Examples of lambaste in a Sentence
R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Homendy lambasted Maryland transportation officials for not conducting a risk assessment and also not even having the necessary data to conduct an assessment.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Fans lambasted the pick for being a transparent favor to the team’s superstar, and few believed the younger James was ready to contribute to an NBA team.
—Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Vance lambasted Ukraine’s leader, who in real life has been under pressure from the U.S. to end the war under circumstances that would include little capitulation from Russia and the transfer of some rights to Ukraine’s rare earths and other critical minerals to the United States.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lambaste
Cite this Entry
“Lambaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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lambaste
verb
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