lambaste

verb

lam·baste (ˌ)lam-ˈbāst

-ˈbast

ˈlam-ˌbāst,

-ˌbast

variants or lambast

lambasted; lambasting; lambastes or lambasts

Synonyms of lambaste next

transitive verb

: to assault violently : beat, whip

: to attack verbally : censure

critics lambasted his performance

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

The coach lambasted the team for its poor play. They wrote several letters lambasting the new law.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Under legislation passed in June 2023, the debt ceiling was suspended until the first quarter of 2025. Republicans turned against the funding plan after a barrage of social media posts by Trump ally Elon Musk lambasting it throughout the day Wednesday. —

Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024 Here’s a pop star plainly confessing and celebrating her lust, something artists like Madonna were once lambasted for. —

Scottie Andrew, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024 Host Geoff Keighley also acknowledged mass layoffs in the industry — something critics lambasted him for ignoring in 2023's ceremony. —

James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024 Bezos’ comments struck a cheerful tone despite Trump publicly lambasting the billionaire during his first term in office. —

Annie Palmer, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lambaste