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Lynch: meaning, definitions and examples

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lynch

 

[lɪn(t)ʃ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

criminal justice

To kill someone, especially by hanging, for an alleged offense with or without a legal trial.

Synonyms

execute, hang, murder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lynch

This term is often used to describe an illegal execution carried out by a mob, often without a legal trial. It has a strong negative connotation and is associated with violent, extrajudicial killings.

  • The angry crowd decided to lynch the accused without waiting for a fair trial.
  • Historical accounts often recount the lynching of people during times of social unrest.
hang

Specifically refers to the act of killing someone by suspending them by the neck from a noose. It can be used in legal contexts or historical references.

  • The criminal was sentenced to hang until pronounced dead.
  • In the old days, many were hanged for crimes such as theft and treason.
execute

This term is generally used in a formal context to describe the carrying out of a death sentence by the authorities after a legal process or court ruling.

  • The court sentenced the convict to be executed by lethal injection.
  • After years on death row, the prisoner was finally executed last night.
murder

Describes the unlawful killing of another person with premeditation and intent. This term carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in both legal and interpersonal contexts.

  • He was arrested and charged with the murder of his neighbor.
  • Murder is considered one of the most severe crimes in any legal system.

Examples of usage

  • They were accused of lynching an innocent man.
  • The mob decided to lynch the suspect before the trial.
Context #2 | Noun

history

An act of violence and murder, typically by hanging, carried out by a mob against an individual accused of a crime.

Synonyms

execution, hanging, murder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lynch

Used when referring to a group of people taking the law into their own hands to punish someone, usually without a legal trial. It often has a negative connotation due to its association with racial violence in history.

  • The townspeople decided to lynch the suspected thief, ignoring the law.
  • She feared being lynched by the angry mob.
hanging

Used to refer specifically to the method of causing death by suspending someone by the neck with a rope. It can be used in historical or legal contexts.

  • Hanging was a common form of capital punishment in the past.
  • The public execution by hanging drew a large crowd.
execution

Used when referring to the formal, legal process of putting someone to death as a punishment for a crime, typically after a trial and a legal sentence.

  • The court ordered the execution of the convicted murderer.
  • His execution was scheduled for next month.
murder

Used for the unlawful and intentional killing of another person. It has a strong negative connotation as it implies malice and illegality.

  • He was arrested and charged with murder.
  • The detective was investigating a brutal murder.

Examples of usage

  • The lynching of African Americans was a dark part of US history.
  • The town was shaken by the recent lynching of a young man.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term is believed to come from Charles Lynch, an 18th-century American who punished supposed criminals without a trial.
  • During the American Civil War, the practice became widespread as communities took law into their own hands.
  • Lynchings became particularly common in the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often targeting African Americans.

Social Impact

  • Lynching is often associated with racial violence, leading to significant social and political movements advocating for civil rights.
  • The Equal Justice Initiative has documented thousands of lynchings in America, underscoring its deep historical scars.
  • Today, lynching is considered a hate crime, reflecting ongoing issues of racial inequality and justice in society.

Literature & Media

  • Books like 'The Things They Carried' explore themes of mob justice and its consequences, illustrating the emotional toll of such violence.
  • Films like 'The Help' examine the historical context of lynching and its impact on African American families and communities.
  • Poetry, including pieces by Langston Hughes, often reflects the terror and injustice surrounding lynching in America.

Psychology

  • Mob mentality can lead individuals to commit acts of violence they might never consider on their own, illustrating group dynamics.
  • The fear of being ostracized can drive communities to participate in lynching despite moral objections to such acts.
  • Research shows that people dehumanize victims in lynching scenarios, which allows them to justify their actions.

Legal Context

  • While lynching is illegal in the U.S., many historical cases remain unpunished, leading to calls for justice and accountability.
  • The Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act was introduced to make lynching a federal hate crime, marking a significant step towards legal acknowledgment of these acts.
  • Public memorials and education efforts aim to confront the legacy of lynching and promote healing in communities affected by this violence.

Translations

Translations of the word "lynch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 linchar

🇮🇳 भीड़ द्वारा मार डालना

🇩🇪 lynchen

🇮🇩 menghakimi massa

🇺🇦 лінчувати

🇵🇱 zlinczować

🇯🇵 リンチする (rinchi suru)

🇫🇷 lyncher

🇪🇸 linchar

🇹🇷 linç etmek

🇰🇷 린치하다 (rinchi-hada)

🇸🇦 إعدام خارج نطاق القانون (i'dam kharij niṭaq al-qanun)

🇨🇿 lynčovat

🇸🇰 lynčovať

🇨🇳 私刑 (sī xíng)

🇸🇮 linčati

🇮🇸 að lincha

🇰🇿 лингтеу

🇬🇪 ლინჩის წესით სიკვდილით დასჯა (linchis tsesit sikvdilit dasja)

🇦🇿 linç etmək

🇲🇽 linchar

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,519, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.