whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈ(h)wip-ˌlash How to pronounce whiplash (audio)
1
: the lash of a whip
2
: something resembling a blow from a whip
… the whiplash of fear …—R. S. Banay
3
: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck from the rear by another vehicle)

Examples of whiplash in a Sentence

He got whiplash when his car was rear-ended.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That whiplash-inducing sum covers multi-day arena rental, top-tier security, and several headline performers. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 And last year’s tariff whiplash has largely subsided, in part thanks to the Supreme Court’s February ruling against the president’s approach. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 Policy whiplash from executive overreach creates uncertainty that markets dislike. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Consumer expectations were in a constant state of whiplash during the Biden administration’s loan forgiveness efforts, but the optimism began earlier. — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiplash

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whiplash was circa 1580

Rhymes for whiplash

See All Rhymes for whiplash

Browse Nearby Words

whip kick
whiplash
whiplash injury
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiplash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiplash. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

whiplash

noun
whip·​lash -ˌlash How to pronounce whiplash (audio)
1
: the lash of a whip
2
: injury resulting from a sudden sharp jerking movement of the head and neck (as of a person in a car that is struck from behind by another car)

Medical Definition

whiplash

noun
whip·​lash ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip- How to pronounce whiplash (audio)
: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck head-on or from the rear by another vehicle)

More from Merriam-Webster on whiplash

Nglish: Translation of whiplash for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whiplash

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