whiplash
noun
whip·lash
| \ ˈhwip-ˌlash
, ˈwip-\
, ˈwip-\
Definition of whiplash
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
The last season of the sci-fi drama was whiplash-inducing, and season three promises to be even more of a brain-bender. — Angela Watercutter, WIRED, "The 10 Things We're Most Excited to See at Comic-Con," 16 July 2019 John Paxson has publicly stated his desire to upgrade at point guard so often that Kris Dunn may have whiplash. — K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Point, counterpoint: Will the Bulls add Kris Dunn’s competition in Thursday’s NBA draft or in July free agency?," 18 June 2019 Trump’s efforts in recent weeks have featured whiplash-inducing threats and reversals. — Washington Post, "Leaks, accusations and staff shuffle: Turmoil inside DHS," 27 June 2019 In Monday's premiere episode, audiences meet the multi-generational Lyons family of Manchester, England, who face a whiplash-inducing world of change as events jump from the present-day to five, 10 and 15 years into the future. — Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, "Every wild prediction in HBO's 'Years and Years' premiere, explained," 25 June 2019 Rather than spreading rainfall throughout the year, California is expected to see periods of intense rainfall followed by extreme dryness, a phenomenon researchers have described as weather whiplash. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Watch how the climate could change in these US cities by 2050," 24 May 2019 Rather than spreading rainfall throughout the year, California is expected to see periods of intense rainfall followed by extreme dryness, a phenomenon researchers have described as weather whiplash. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Watch how the climate could change in these US cities by 2050," 24 May 2019 The Seahawks had a more decisive victory, beating the Broncos, 43-8, while the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots, 41-33, Sunday in a whiplash back-and-forth that created a tsunami of excitement at the Minnesota stadium. — Jan Hefler, Philly.com, "Super Bowl ticket sales and prices under scrutiny by N.J. court," 9 Feb. 2018 That’s a far cry from reality for many women, but for the one in seven dealing with postpartum depression, the new-mother whiplash is much more severe. — Macaela Mackenzie, Glamour, "The New Postpartum Depression Drug Zulresso Comes With a Catch," 20 Mar. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whiplash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for whiplash
whiplash
noun
English Language Learners Definition of whiplash
: an injury to the neck that is caused by a sudden backward movement of the head
See the full definition for whiplash in the English Language Learners Dictionary
whiplash
noun
whip·lash
| \ ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip-
\
\
Medical Definition of whiplash
: 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)
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