crucify

verb

cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī 

crucified; crucifying

transitive verb

1

: to put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross

2

: to destroy the power of : mortify

crucify the flesh

3

a

: to treat cruelly : torment

b

: pillory sense 2

crucified in the press

crucifier

ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī-ər 

noun

Examples of crucify in a Sentence

They crucified her in the newspapers for having an affair.

Recent Examples on the Web

The holiday celebrates Jesus' resurrection three days after he was crucified. —Alison Fox, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024

Like many traditional Easter breads, this one is packed with Christian symbolism: The shape of the bread is meant to resemble the crown of thorns worn by Jesus when he was crucified, and the eggs are a symbol of rebirth and renewal. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024

Catholics also participate in the Veneration of the Cross every Good Friday, where churchgoers kneel in front of the cross, similar to the one Christ was crucified on, and kiss it to demonstrate faith. —The Arizona Republic, 1 Feb. 2024

The two parties unite behind a surveillance state in which the cherished Fourth Amendment right to be left alone is crucified on a national security cross. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024

Vandross’ weight struggles were crucified in the press throughout his career, and the documentary doesn’t shy away from the impact and inappropriateness of the media’s obsession with the singer’s size. —Kui Mwai, Essence, 29 Jan. 2024

Christianity’s humble beginnings trace to a moment when Jesus of Nazareth was crucified in Jerusalem, then part of the Roman Empire, about 33 A.D. —Greg Garrison | , al, 10 Apr. 2023

The place that God promised Abraham, where Jesus was crucified and Muhammad ascended to heaven — all of these moments are parts of the top bestselling books on this planet. —Amir Sommer, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024

Pilate eventually relents to pressures from the crowd and has Jesus crucified. —Valerie Wu, Variety, 8 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crucifien, from Anglo-French crucifier, from Late Latin crucifigere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crucify

verb

cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī 

crucified; crucifying

1

: to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross

2

: to treat cruelly : torture, persecute

were crucified in the newspapers

crucifier

-fī-ər 

noun

Etymology

Middle English crucifien "to crucify," from early French crucifier (same meaning), from Latin crucifigere "to crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" and figere "to fasten, fix" — related to cross, crucifix, excruciating, fix