whiplash

American  

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

noun

1. the lash of a whip.

2. an abrupt snapping motion or change of direction resembling the lash of a whip.

3. Also whiplash injury. a neck injury caused by a sudden jerking backward, forward, or both, of the head.

   Whiplash resulted when their car was struck from behind.

4. Also called whiplash curve.  a connected series of reverse curves of more or less elliptical form, used as a major design motif in the Art Nouveau style.

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verb (used with object)

1. to beat, hit, throw, etc., with or as if with a whiplash.

2. to affect adversely, as by a sudden change.

   new taxes whiplashing corporate earnings.

whiplash British  

/ ˈwɪpˌlæʃ /

noun

1. a quick lash or stroke of a whip or like that of a whip

2. med See whiplash injury

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Etymology

Origin of whiplash

First recorded in 1565–75; 1950–55 whiplash for def. 6; whip + lash ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whiplash

This creates a cycle of rapid swings between drought and flooding, which is what people mean by weather whiplash.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 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

Less whiplash regarding federal economic policy has left businesses more comfortable shifting into hiring mode, said Aditya Bhave, an economist at Bank of America.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

Turning our heads toward the future aggravates the whiplash induced by rapid change.

From Salon ● May 30, 2026

They shot away from the island so quickly, Piper almost got whiplash; but it wasn’t a second too soon.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan