lynch

verb

lynched; lynching; lynches

transitive verb

: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal approval or permission
The accused killer was lynched by an angry mob.
lyncher noun

Examples of lynch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 2022, Scott worked with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on a bill designating lynching a federal hate crime, an issue Scott had worked on for years. Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 7 July 2024 During his Florida tours, Dunn goes everywhere from Rosewood, the site of the Rosewood Massacre that claimed the lives of roughly 30 Black Americans, to Mims, where activists Harry and Harriette Moore were killed in their homes on Christmas Day, to the graves of various lynching victims. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 29 June 2024 This was eighty-four years after Bolden’s great-grandfather was lynched. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 20 June 2024 John Gentry’s murder trial will remain in Boone County, per a judge’s order, despite his lawyers’ worries that Facebook comments about the case, including calls for Gentry to be lynched, demonstrate county-wide prejudice. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 19 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for lynch 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lynch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

after lynch law

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lynch was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near lynch

Cite this Entry

“Lynch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lynch. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

lynch

verb
: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal authority
lyncher noun

Legal Definition

lynch

transitive verb
: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction
lyncher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on lynch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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