Lyncher: meaning, definitions and examples

⚖️
Add to dictionary

lyncher

 

[ ˈlɪnʧər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

crime, violence

A lyncher is an individual who takes part in a lynching, which is an act of violence where a mob takes the law into their own hands to punish or execute someone, often without a fair trial. This term is especially associated with historical instances of racial violence in the United States, where mob action was used to instill fear within specific communities. Lynching is a severe violation of human rights and has left deep scars in societal history.

Synonyms

executioner, mob justice, vigilante

Examples of usage

  • The lyncher felt justified in their actions.
  • Historical accounts often depict the lyncher as a person seeking retribution.
  • Witnesses reported the lyncher shouting threats.
  • The trial focused on identifying the lyncher from the crowd.

Translations

Translations of the word "lyncher" in other languages:

🇵🇹 linchador

🇮🇳 लिंच करने वाला

🇩🇪 Lynchjustiz

🇮🇩 penjagal

🇺🇦 линчувальник

🇵🇱 lyncher

🇯🇵 リンチする人

🇫🇷 lyncheur

🇪🇸 linchador

🇹🇷 linç eden kişi

🇰🇷 린치하는 사람

🇸🇦 معدوم

🇨🇿 lynčující

🇸🇰 lynčujúci

🇨🇳 私刑施行者

🇸🇮 lynčar

🇮🇸 lynchari

🇰🇿 линч жасаушы

🇬🇪 ლინჩერი

🇦🇿 linç edən

🇲🇽 linchador

Word origin

The term 'lyncher' originates from the practice of lynching that was commonly observed in the America, particularly in the southern states, during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. The practice was often rooted in racial tensions and the desire to exert social control, particularly over African American communities. The word is believed to derive from the name of Charles Lynch, a Virginia planter and a justice of the peace, who conducted extrajudicial punishments against Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War. The act of lynching generally involved forming a mob that would bypass legal institutions to punish individuals perceived as guilty of crimes, particularly those against white individuals. Lynching has a historical association with racial violence, serving as a grim reminder of the systemic racism that permeated American society. The legacy of lynching still influences discussions on race relations, civil rights, and justice today.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,688, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.