Meaning & use

crucify

verb·Advanced

To put someone to death by nailing or binding them to a cross, or, informally, to criticize them very harshly.

See it in a sentence

Ancient Rome used crucifixion to crucify criminals and rebels as a public warning.

The press was ready to crucify the politician over a single careless remark.

A note on using this word

The literal historical sense refers to a brutal method of execution, while the figurative modern use simply means to criticize someone severely.

Words with a similar meaning

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