lambaste
verb
-ˈbast
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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.
Synonyms
Examples of lambaste in a Sentence
Drew Goins, Washington Post, 20 June 2024
The former president took a jab at Good during a meeting on Capitol Hill last week and has lambasted the Virginia congressman as bad for his state and the country — largely due to the loyalty factor.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 June 2024
Republicans lambasted Biden’s announcement on Tuesday and accused him of taking actions to bolster his election odds.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 18 June 2024
The chief has even openly defied media and civilian critics who lambasted him.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lambaste 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lambaste.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lambaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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lambaste
verb
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