lynch

¹

[ linch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put to death, especially by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority:

   In the 19th and 20th centuries, thousands of southern African Americans were lynched by white mobs.

2. to criticize, condemn, etc., in public:

   He’s been unfairly lynched in the media.

Lynch

²

[ linch ]

noun

1. John Jack, 1917–1999, Irish political leader: prime minister 1966–73, 1977–79.

Lynch

¹

/ lɪntʃ /

noun

1. LynchDavid1946MUSFILMS AND TV: director David. born 1946, US film director; his work includes the films Eraserhead (1977), Blue Velvet (1986), Wild at Heart (1990), Mulholland Drive (2001), and Inland Empire (2006), and the television series Twin Peaks (1990)
2. LynchJohn19171999MIrishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: prime minister John, known as Jack Lynch. 1917–99, Irish statesman; prime minister of the Republic of Ireland (1966–73; 1977–79)

lynch

²

/ lɪntʃ /

verb

1. tr (of a mob) to punish (a person) for some supposed offence by hanging without a trial

Derived Forms

• ˈlyncher, noun
• ˈlynching, noun

Other Words From

• lynch·er noun
• an·ti·lynch·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lynch¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1825–35; verb use of lynch in lynch law

Word History and Origins

Origin of lynch¹

probably after Charles Lynch (1736–96), Virginia justice of the peace, who presided over extralegal trials of Tories during the American War of Independence

Synonym Study

See hang.

Example Sentences

In Candyman, Todd's titular character is the ghost of artist Daniel Robitaille, a black man who was lynched in the 19th Century.

From BBC

He sued CNN for defamation last month, comparing their report to a "digital lynching."

From Salon

Activist Leo Igwe is at the forefront of efforts to help people accused of witchcraft in Nigeria, as it can destroy their lives - and even lead to them being lynched.

From BBC

Robinson's defamation lawsuit — filed in Wake County, North Carolina earlier this week — called the story a "digital lynching."

From Salon

And several students threatened to lynch him at a specific date and time, the lawsuit alleged.

From Los Angeles Times