lynch

[ linch ]
/ lɪntʃ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR lynch ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words related to lyncher

killer, garroter, strangler, executioner

Example sentences from the Web for lyncher

  • "This isn't Arizona or any other lyncher's country," said Halliday, the lawyer, making his way to the front.

    The World For Sale, Complete |Gilbert Parker

  • They say the lyncher knows that he is wrong and has been told so often enough.

    The Soul of John Brown |Stephen Graham

British Dictionary definitions for lyncher (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 lyncher (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)