Definitions

whiplash

[hwip-lash, wip-] / ˈʰwɪpˌlæʃ, ˈwɪp- /

Part of Speech:

All (6) Noun (4) Verb (2)

Jump To:

neck injury from head-jerking n.
abrupt, jarring change n.
long, flexible part of a whip n.
blow delivered with a whip n.
affect adversely due to sudden change v.
hit with or as with a whip v.

NOUN

neck injury from head-jerking

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cervical acceleration-deceleration injury hyperextension-hyperflexion injury whiplash injury

WEAK

Erichsen's disease railway spine

NOUN

abrupt, jarring change

Synonyms

STRONG

agitation disruption jolt perturbation reversal shock tumult turmoil unrest upheaval uproar

WEAK

about-face back-and-forth commotion double whammy hubbub lurch pandemonium swing switch turnabout U-turn

Antonyms

STRONGEST

constancy continuity equilibrium stability

STRONG

coherence placidity seamlessness tranquility

WEAK

calmness serenity

NOUN

long, flexible part of a whip

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lash thong

STRONG

birch scourge switch whip

WEAK

quirt

NOUN

blow delivered with a whip

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flogging lash lashing stripe thrashing whip whipping

STRONG

caning flagellation slash welt

WEAK

beating blow hit hitting licking pounding scourging strike stroke

VERB

affect adversely due to sudden change

Synonyms

STRONGEST

derail destabilize disorient jar rattle reel unsettle upend

STRONG

agitate confound discombobulate knock for a loop rock throw for a loop upset the apple cart

WEAK

backfire backlash boomerang disconcert disrupt disturb impact nonplus recoil shock strain stress tax unbalance unhinge upset

Antonyms

STRONG

calm ease settle stabilize steady

WEAK

balance orient

VERB

hit with or as with a whip

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flagellate flog lash scourge whip

STRONG

belt birch cane quirt strap switch thrash welt whup

WEAK

beat crack flail hit leather snap spank swat tan

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

whiplash

"Our data suggest this metabolic whiplash is detrimental to heart health," Al-Aly added.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026

While the rainfall will be welcome, it is possible the UK could experience another round of "weather whiplash" where the pattern moves from one extreme to another.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

To go from that to the proposed high-end beach clubs and already present budget-airline weekenders involves extreme whiplash.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

Part of that attention is aimed at Burwell’s score, a masterpiece of electronic minimalism in which pitch bends and hard clashes create the dread and whiplash that make the film so tense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

I keep it combed back, but every so often a lock will break free and hang like a whiplash down the side of my face.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word