lynch

verbkill by hanging

Synonyms for lynch

verb kill by hanging

Antonyms for lynch

Word Origin & History

1835, from earlier Lynch law (1811), likely named after William Lynch (1742-1820) of Pittsylvania, Virginia, who c.1780 led a vigilance committee to keep order there during the Revolution. Other sources trace the name to Charles Lynch (1736-1796) a Virginia magistrate who fined and imprisoned Tories in his district c.1782, but the connection to him is less likely. Originally any sort of summary justice, especially by flogging; narrowing of focus to "extralegal execution by hanging" is 20c. Lynch mob is attested from 1838. The surname is perhaps from Irish Loingseach "sailor." Cf. earlier Lydford law, from a place in Dartmoor, England, "where was held a Stannaries Court of summary jurisdiction" [Weekley], hence:

Related: Lynched; lynching.

Example Sentences for lynch

After all, there was no sense in making an enemy out of Lynch.

Lynch said, "I can have him there by then, and you can get together and talk."

He looked at Lynch for a long minute, and then said: "Lieutenant—"

"And that means I'm going to have to be informed," Lynch said.

Malone ducked past Lynch, rubbed at his chin and looked for Mike.

Lynch opened his mouth, closed it and then took the notebook.

"Just a general feeling of noise is all we get," Lynch said.

Lynch's voice was already coming over it when Malone thumbed it on.

Lynch was doing yeoman duty, but it was hard to tell what side he was on.

Unfortunately, Malone thought, Lynch had had absolutely no choice.

lynch

Synonyms for lynch

Antonyms for lynch

kill

killed

murder

murdered

lynch

Synonyms for lynch

Antonyms for lynch

More words related to lynch

hang

kill

killed

murder

murdered