lynch
Lynch (verb) means to kill someone, typically by hanging, at the hands of a mob acting outside the law. Example: “The historical record of Black Americans lynched in the American South remains a dark chapter of history.”
How to Use Lynch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo kill someone through mob violence without a trial, or (loosely) to attack someone unfairly and harshly in a group.
The literal sense refers to a specific and horrific form of racial violence in American history; use with care and awareness of that context.
Word Forms
lynched past tense, Lynchs plural, Lynches plural, lynches singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The historical record of Black Americans _____ in the American South remains a dark chapter of history.
Etymology
Believed to come from "Lynch law", a term for extrajudicial punishment first recorded in the early 1800s in the United States, possibly linked to the surname Lynch.
Related Words
Rhymes for lynch
See all rhymes for lynch →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “lynch” mean?
The word “lynch” means to kill someone, typically by hanging, at the hands of a mob acting outside the law. In plain terms, to kill someone through mob violence without a trial, or (loosely) to attack someone unfairly and harshly in a group.
How do you pronounce “lynch”?
“Lynch” is pronounced lihnch (/lɪnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lynch” in a sentence?
Here is “lynch” used in a sentence: “The historical record of Black Americans lynched in the American South remains a dark chapter of history.”
What part of speech is “lynch”?
“Lynch” is a verb.
Where does the word “lynch” come from?
The word “lynch” dates back to around 1800. Believed to come from "Lynch law", a term for extrajudicial punishment first recorded in the early 1800s in the United States, possibly linked to the surname Lynch.
Is “lynch” a common word?
“Lynch” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lynch” have?
“Lynch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to kill someone, typically by hanging, at the hands of a mob acting outside the law.
What is the difference between lynching someone and executing them?
To execute someone is to put them to death as a lawful punishment ordered by the state. To lynch someone is for a mob to kill them, typically by hanging, outside the law and without a trial, so the crucial difference is that lynching has no legal authority.
What is the difference between lynching and hanging?
Hanging is a method of killing by suspending someone by the neck, and it can be a lawful form of execution. Lynching refers to a killing carried out by a mob acting outside the law, and although it is often done by hanging, the term describes the unlawful, collective nature of the act rather than the method alone.
How is 'lynch' used figuratively?
Used figuratively, to lynch someone means to attack or criticise them severely and unfairly, especially as a group, as in 'he was lynched on social media'. This extended sense involves harsh public condemnation rather than physical harm.