lambaste

UK: /læmˈbeɪst/ US: /læmˈbeɪst, -ˈbæst/ ,(lam bāst′, -bast′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

lam•baste or lam•bast /læmˈbeɪst, -ˈbæst/   v. [~ + object] , -bast•ed, -bast•ing. [Informal.]

1. to beat or whip severely:
   lambasted the prisoners.
2. to scold or reprimand harshly;
   berate:
   She lambasted me for being late.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lam•baste  (lam bāst′, -bast′), v.t., -bast•ed, -bast•ing. [Informal.]

1. to beat or whip severely.
2. to reprimand or berate harshly;
   censure;
   excoriate.

Also, lam•bast′. 

• apparently lam¹ + baste³ 1630–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lambast / læmˈbæst/, lambaste / læmˈbeɪst/ verb (transitive)

1. to beat or whip severely
2. to reprimand or scold

Etymology: 17th Century: perhaps from lam¹ + baste³