bash

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'bash' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to hit or strike something, or to criticise someone or something in a forceful way. Example sentence: The Prime Minister was severely bashed in the press for his statement on the economy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Tech

Lifestyle

Opinion

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Put the sugar, cucumber and raspberries in a shaker and muddle (ie, bash).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Magnus, who set up aid charity Mary's Meals, has already won $25,000 £16,0000) after being named named a 'Top Ten Hero' by CNN and could take the $100,000 top prize, which will be announced this weekend in a star-studded bash in Hollywood this weekend.

The Guardian

This weekend's Solange Knowles Alan Ferguson bash offers a few ideas No out-of-character Marchesa princess moment for this bride.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And Johnson himself said that Mair did a "splendid job" and that he had been "perfectly within his rights to have a bash at me".

The Guardian

In March, he was inhibited from indulging his worst instincts by the presence of the Lib Dems; now he has no Danny Alexander standing in the way of his plans to bash the poor and dispossessed even harder, in the absurd pursuit of a budget surplus for the sake of it.

The Guardian

More purges, and more boot-licking, are expected to follow, with Mugabe's bash presenting an excellent and timely opportunity for the latter.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not trying to bash the people at the labels, but it does seem like the senior executives at the majors have said 'we give up, let's just make some money on the Spotify IPO, then go home and let the next generation sort it out".

The Guardian - Tech

Bish bash bosh, there you go, a fashion trend, all set to go, ready for consumption by the masses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Great sporting moments - A national holiday was declared when Oman won the 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations, West Asia's biennial bash, after two successive defeats in the final.

The Guardian - Sport

The most fun Oscars party to attend - or try to blag your way in to - is Elton John's bash at the Pacific Design Center (8687 Melrose Avenue).

The Guardian - Travel

Thanks for making the thousands spent on this bash worthwhile.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bash" to describe criticism, consider the intensity and audience; more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "criticize" or "condemn".

Common error

Avoid using "bash" in formal or academic writing. While it's acceptable in informal contexts, opt for more precise and professional terms like "criticize", "attack", or "denounce" in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "bash" functions primarily as a verb meaning to strike forcefully or to criticize severely. It can also function as a noun meaning a large party or gala event, or as an acronym, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Tech

5%

Lifestyle

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bash" is a versatile word with meanings ranging from striking something forcefully to criticizing someone severely, and even referring to a large party. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its usage is more prevalent in news and media, as well as sports contexts. While "bash" is suitable for informal communication, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "criticize" or "condemn" in professional or academic settings. Understanding its varied meanings and contexts will help you use "bash" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pummel

Refers to hitting someone or something repeatedly and forcefully, mirroring the aggressive physical aspect of "bash".

strike heavily

Focuses on the physical act of hitting something hard, similar to one sense of "bash".

lambast

Implies a very strong and public form of criticism, similar to a forceful "bash".

criticize harshly

Emphasizes the negative evaluation aspect of "bash", when used in a critical context.

berate

Suggests scolding or criticizing someone severely, a more intense form of "bash".

assail

Indicates a vigorous attack, either physical or verbal, closely related to the forceful nature of "bash".

attack verbally

Highlights the aggressive nature of criticism, akin to "bash" in a confrontational sense.

smite

An archaic term for striking or hitting hard, providing a formal alternative to "bash".

throw a party

Captures the celebratory meaning of "bash" as a large, festive event.

hold a gala

Similar to throwing a party, but implies a more formal and elaborate celebration, akin to "bash".

FAQs

How can I use "bash" in a sentence?

You can use "bash" to describe hitting something forcefully, as in "He "bashed the door"", or to mean criticizing someone severely, such as "The media "bashed the government" for its new policy".

What are some alternatives to "bash" when referring to criticism?

If you want to avoid the informality of "bash", consider using terms like "criticize", "denounce", or "lambast", depending on the level of intensity you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "bash" in a formal essay?

Generally, no. "Bash" is considered informal. More appropriate terms for formal essays include "assess", "evaluate", or "analyze" if you are discussing an objective critique or "condemn" if the critique is negative.

What's the difference between "bash" and "smash"?

"Bash" implies a forceful hit or a severe criticism, whereas "smash" typically means to break something violently into pieces. You might "bash" a dent into a car, but you would "smash" a window.