Lynching: meaning, definitions and examples
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lynching
[ ˈlɪntʃɪŋ ]
racial violence
Lynching is the act of killing someone, especially by hanging, for an alleged offense with or without a legal trial, typically associated with racial violence in the United States.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Lynching was a common practice in the Southern states during the Jim Crow era.
- The lynching of African Americans was used as a tool of intimidation and control.
vigilante justice
To lynch means to kill someone, especially by hanging, without legal authority or due process, often as an act of vigilante justice.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The mob decided to lynch the accused without waiting for a trial.
- They lynched the suspect before he could be arrested by the police.
Translations
Translations of the word "lynching" in other languages:
🇵🇹 linchamento
🇮🇳 भीड़ का न्याय
🇩🇪 Lynchmord
🇮🇩 penghakiman massa
🇺🇦 самосуд
🇵🇱 samosąd
🇯🇵 リンチ
🇫🇷 lynchage
🇪🇸 linchamiento
🇹🇷 linç
🇰🇷 린치
🇸🇦 إعدام دون محاكمة
🇨🇿 lynčování
🇸🇰 lynčovanie
🇨🇳 私刑
🇸🇮 linč
🇮🇸 lynching
🇰🇿 линг
🇬🇪 ლინჩი
🇦🇿 linç
🇲🇽 linchamiento
Etymology
The term 'lynching' originated in the United States in the late 18th century, specifically during the American Revolution. It is believed to have derived from Charles Lynch, a Virginia planter and justice of the peace who presided over extralegal trials during the Revolution. However, the practice of lynching became most notorious during the Reconstruction era and continued through the Civil Rights Movement. Lynching was often used as a tool of racial terror and oppression against African Americans, leading to countless brutal murders and acts of violence.
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #21,256, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
- ...
- 21253 intergenerational
- 21254 gingerly
- 21255 geographer
- 21256 lynching
- 21257 broadcaster
- 21258 blunted
- 21259 criminology
- ...