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
R. S. Banay3
: 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
Some economists have sought to measure the economic impacts of climate regulation whiplash.
Costas Gavriilidis, who teaches at the University of Stirling in Scotland, developed a U.S. Climate Policy Uncertainty Index charting the federal government’s wild swings on climate policy.
—Coral Davenport, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
In recent years, the statute's politicization has thrust the staff who enforce it at schools across the country into a state of whiplash, while students, especially those from marginalized groups, remain caught in the middle.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Shots have longer to breathe, a welcome change compared to the whiplash camera cuts that were a hallmark of TV broadcasts under the company’s former head of production, Kevin Dunn.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
As such, Canadian Boyfriend has a bit more emotional whiplash than Holiday’s tales usually do (not to mention some complicated power dynamics involving employment and monetary remuneration).
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024
Then, in January of 1977, a kind of slow-burning whiplash struck the nation.
—Wil Haygood, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Wednesday's hearing followed a day of legal whiplash in federal court for the Texas law, known as S.B. 4.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2024
The shift has caused some whiplash for workers who spent years at big-name tech firms, many of which have long boasted some of the most competitive pay and benefits on the planet.
—Brian Cheung, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
The whiplash shifts in a largely siloed organization demoralized and infuriated employees.
—Kenrick Cai, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Coral Davenport, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
In recent years, the statute's politicization has thrust the staff who enforce it at schools across the country into a state of whiplash, while students, especially those from marginalized groups, remain caught in the middle.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Shots have longer to breathe, a welcome change compared to the whiplash camera cuts that were a hallmark of TV broadcasts under the company’s former head of production, Kevin Dunn.
—Chris Welch, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
As such, Canadian Boyfriend has a bit more emotional whiplash than Holiday’s tales usually do (not to mention some complicated power dynamics involving employment and monetary remuneration).
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024
Then, in January of 1977, a kind of slow-burning whiplash struck the nation.
—Wil Haygood, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Wednesday's hearing followed a day of legal whiplash in federal court for the Texas law, known as S.B. 4.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2024
The shift has caused some whiplash for workers who spent years at big-name tech firms, many of which have long boasted some of the most competitive pay and benefits on the planet.
—Brian Cheung, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
The whiplash shifts in a largely siloed organization demoralized and infuriated employees.
—Kenrick Cai, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whiplash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near whiplash
Cite this Entry
“Whiplash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiplash. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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