WHIPLASH Definition & Meaning

whiplash

[hwip-lash, wip-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the lash of a whip.
an abrupt snapping motion or change of direction resembling the lash of a whip.
Also whiplash injury. a neck injury caused by a sudden jerking backward, forward, or both, of the head.
Whiplash resulted when their car was struck from behind.
Also called whiplash curve.��a connected series of reverse curves of more or less elliptical form, used as a major design motif in the Art Nouveau style.

verb (used with object)

to beat, hit, throw, etc., with or as if with a whiplash.
to affect adversely, as by a sudden change.
new taxes whiplashing corporate earnings.

whiplash

/ ˈ��ɪ��ˌ��æʃ /

noun

a quick lash or stroke of a whip or like that of a whip
med See whiplash injury

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of whiplash¹

First recorded in 1565–75; 1950–55 whiplash for def. 6; whip + lash ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Workers such as him have been subjected to political whiplash in recent days.

From

His double-talk and verbal whiplash were stunning in its ineffectiveness, and instead of paving a way forward, left a trail of smoke.

From

Episodes of climate “whiplash” — rapid swings between wet-to-dry and dry-to-wet conditions — are also growing more frequent and intense because of rising global temperatures.

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Dry heat to torrential rain - enter the age of 'weather whiplash'

From

"It's often been called 'weather whiplash', the idea that we have some very prolonged dry periods, but then also when it rains, it rains more heavily".

From

whip in whiplash injury

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