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

3

: 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

This can causes a sense of whiplash, which can make some people feel deceived. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Oct. 2024

That’s enough capital-C change to give anyone whiplash, but Schafer seems to absorb it all with an unflappability that belies her 25 years. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2024

The original Chevron ruling, which gave regulatory agencies significant latitude in establishing regulations that Congress hadn’t directly addressed in legislation, has created a series of whiplash events for those leading colleges and universities over the past decade. —Michael B. Horn, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Blame the content recession, triggered by the perfect storm of cord cutting, changing business models, global and national political unease, a whiplash economy and then the recent Hollywood strikes. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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)