lambaste

English

WOTD – 14 June 2007

Alternative forms

Etymology

First attested in 1637. Probably lam (beat) + baste (beat)

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /læmˈbeɪst/, /læmˈbæst/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪst
  • Rhymes: -æst

Verb

lambaste (third-person singular simple present lambastes, present participle lambasting, simple past and past participle lambasted)

  1. To scold, reprimand or criticize harshly.
    Synonyms: berate, scold, tell off; see also Thesaurus:criticize
    The sergeant lambasted the new recruits daily.
    Her first novel was well and truly lambasted by the critics.
    • 2013 January 19, Paul Harris, “Lance Armstrong faces multi-million dollar legal challenges after confession”, in The Guardian:
      Indeed, part of the problem was that Armstrong was rowing back on so much previous behaviour and years of aggressive lambasting of reporters, officials and team-mates who had claimed he was doping. "I don't forgive Lance Armstrong, who lied to me in two interviews. And I suspect most of America won't, either," Kurtz wrote.
    • 2023 August 9, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Disinterested and dishonest”, in RAIL, number 989, page 3:
      Labour frontbencher Louise Haigh (Shadow Transport Secretary for heaven's sake!) initially lambasted TOCs before the handful of specialist rail commentators fell on her tweets and she changed her tune, refocusing her fire on Government.
  2. (dated in UK English but not US English) To give a thrashing to; to beat severely.
    Synonyms: beat, hit, thrash; see also Thesaurus:hit

Translations

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