lynch

[ linch ]
/ lɪntʃ /

verb (used with object)

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

Origin of lynch

1825–35, Americanism; v. use of lynch in lynch law

synonym study for lynch

See hang.

OTHER WORDS FROM lynch

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lynch

hang lynch (see synonym study at hang)

Words nearby lynch

lymphotoxin, lymphotrophic, lynagh, lynbrook, lyncean, lynch, lynch law, lynchburg, lynchet, lynchpin, lynd

Example sentences from the Web for antilynching

  • Probably the most bitter attack on the antilynching committee has come from the London Times.

    The Red Record |Ida B. Wells-Barnett

  • Antilynching leagues, societies and individuals can order books from this fund at agents' rates.

    The Red Record |Ida B. Wells-Barnett

British Dictionary definitions for antilynching (1 of 2)

lynch
/ (lɪntʃ) /

verb

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

Derived forms of lynch

lyncher, noun lynching, noun

Word Origin for lynch

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

British Dictionary definitions for antilynching (2 of 2)

Lynch
/ (lɪntʃ) /

noun

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)
John, known as Jack Lynch. 1917–99, Irish statesman; prime minister of the Republic of Ireland (1966–73; 1977–79)