lambaste

verb

lam·baste (ˌ)lam-ˈbāst -ˈbast

ˈlam-ˌbāst,

-ˌbast

variants or lambast

lambasted; lambasting; lambastes or lambasts

Synonyms of lambaste

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.

Israel and Trump Shattered Their Hopes | Opinion Trump's own son, Donald Jr., recently pointed to personal motives for war when lambasting President Clinton's intervention decision about Serbia. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 In the midst of brokering a ceasefire in the Middle East, President Trump has still found time to lambaste Jerome Powell for refusing to cut the base rate. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 June 2025 Trump also used a social media post to lambaste Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who had objected to the president taking military action without specific congressional approval. —Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 In her first appearance since the federal government launched its response to Los Angeles protests, US Attorney General Pam Bondi lambasted the clashes between protesters and law enforcement and promised a crackdown from the Justice Department. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lambaste