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

“It’s evolving as I’m evolving. And I’m evolving at a state of whiplash right now. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Damn, a lot going on.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026

The drought in 2025, which lasted around six months for some, only ended in the autumn when the UK experienced "weather whiplash" - a sudden change in weather patterns that brought weeks of above-average rainfall.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

Leveraged ETFs tied to chipmaker SK Hynix were pummeled Tuesday, amid a punishing selloff in semiconductor stocks this month as whiplash around the powerful artificial-intelligence trade continues.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Leo almost got whiplash trying to look in two places at once.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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