Word
lynch
US/ˈɫɪntʃ/
UK/lˈɪntʃ/
Definitions
01extrajudicial killing
v. to kill someone for a supposed crime without a legal trial, usually by a large, angry group of people.
v. to execute an individual without legal authority or due process, typically carried out by a mob and often involving hanging.
“The history books describe how the mob tried to lynch the prisoner before the sheriff could intervene.”
“The documentary explores the horrific era when groups would lynch citizens with total impunity, bypassing the judicial system entirely.”
Formal
Usage
This is a transitive verb and always requires a direct object.
02to criticize harshly
v. to punish or criticize someone very severely for a mistake.
v. to castigate or condemn someone severely in a public or social context. Used figuratively and hyperbolically.
“The fans will lynch the coach if the team loses another game this weekend.”
“The press was ready to lynch the minister after the scandal broke, leaving him with no allies in the cabinet.”
Informal · Humorous
Teaching tip
This sense is hyperbolic; learners should be aware that because of the word's violent history, using it lightly can sometimes be seen as insensitive.
Real-World Examples
“In Zambia, the hearsay about disappearing genitals first gained traction in March when a woman was lynched, going on to spread panic across the border in Tanzania.” “Black men returning to the US from war were lynched in their US military uniforms because white folks thought them “uppity” for trying to claim the honor and valor supposedly synonymous with military service.” Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lynch