Antonyms for lynch


Grammar : Verb
Spell : linch
Phonetic Transcription : lɪntʃ


Definition of lynch

Origin :
  • 1835, from earlier Lynch law (1811), likely named after William Lynch (1742-1820) of Pittsylvania, Virginia, who c.1780 led a vigilance committee to keep order there during the Revolution. Other sources trace the name to Charles Lynch (1736-1796) a Virginia magistrate who fined and imprisoned Tories in his district c.1782, but the connection to him is less likely. Originally any sort of summary justice, especially by flogging; narrowing of focus to "extralegal execution by hanging" is 20c. Lynch mob is attested from 1838. The surname is perhaps from Irish Loingseach "sailor." Cf. earlier Lydford law, from a place in Dartmoor, England, "where was held a Stannaries Court of summary jurisdiction" [Weekley], hence:
  • Lydford law: is to hang men first, and indite them afterwards. [Thomas Blount, "Glossographia," 1656]
  • Related: Lynched; lynching.
  • verb kill by hanging
Example sentences :
  • After all, there was no sense in making an enemy out of Lynch.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • Lynch said, "I can have him there by then, and you can get together and talk."
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • He looked at Lynch for a long minute, and then said: "Lieutenant—"
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • "And that means I'm going to have to be informed," Lynch said.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • Malone ducked past Lynch, rubbed at his chin and looked for Mike.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • Lynch opened his mouth, closed it and then took the notebook.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • "Just a general feeling of noise is all we get," Lynch said.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • Lynch's voice was already coming over it when Malone thumbed it on.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • Lynch was doing yeoman duty, but it was hard to tell what side he was on.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett
  • Unfortunately, Malone thought, Lynch had had absolutely no choice.
  • Extract from : « Out Like a Light » by Gordon Randall Garrett

Synonyms for lynch

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019