whip
29 synonyms and 0 antonyms for whip, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A flexible rod or braided cord, often of leather, used to strike an animal or person, or to make a sharp cracking noise.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use whip
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English whippen, "to move suddenly", related to Dutch wippen ("to swing or bounce") — the political sense comes from "whipper-in", the huntsman who kept hounds from straying, borrowed into parliamentary slang in the 1700s.
Full origin of whip →Frequently asked questions
What does “whip” mean?
The word “whip” means a flexible rod or braided cord, often of leather, used to strike an animal or person, or to make a sharp cracking noise. In plain terms, a tool for striking or a quick, sudden motion — and, separately, a party official who enforces voting discipline.
How do you pronounce “whip”?
“Whip” is pronounced WIHP (/ˈwɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “whip” in a sentence?
Here is “whip” used in a sentence: “The rider gave the horse a light touch with the whip to speed it up.”
What is another word for “whip”?
Words with a similar meaning to “whip” include crop, driving whip, dressage whip, jumping bat, flail and knout.
What part of speech is “whip”?
Depending on how it is used, “whip” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “whip” come from?
The word “whip” dates back to around 1700 and comes from Middle English.
Is “whip” a common word?
“Whip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “whip” have?
“Whip” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flexible rod or braided cord, often of leather, used to strike an animal or person, or to make a sharp cracking noise.
What does a whip do in politics?
In politics, a whip is the politician responsible for making sure party members vote according to party policy. Whips count expected votes, ensure members turn up for important votes, and apply party discipline. The role exists in many legislatures, including the UK Parliament and the US Congress.
What is the difference between whipping and whisking in cooking?
Whipping means beating food quickly, especially cream or egg whites, so it takes in air and becomes light and airy, gaining volume. Whisking is the broader action of beating or blending with a whisk, which may aim only to combine ingredients smoothly. All whipping involves fast beating, but not all whisking is meant to add volume.
What is a three-line whip?
In UK politics, a three-line whip is the strictest voting instruction a party's whips can issue, requiring members to attend and vote the party line. The name refers to the item being underlined three times on the written instructions sent to members. Defying a three-line whip is treated as serious party indiscipline.