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crucify

verb cru·ci·fy \ ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī \
|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of crucify

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 2
  • crucified in the press
—

crucifier

play \ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī-ər\ noun

See crucify defined for English-language learners

See crucify defined for kids

Examples of crucify in a Sentence

  1. They crucified her in the newspapers for having an affair.

Recent Examples of crucify from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crucify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of crucify

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

CRUCIFY Defined for English Language Learners

crucify

verb

Definition of crucify for English Language Learners

  • : to kill (someone) by nailing or tying his or her hands and feet to a cross

  • : to criticize (someone or something) very harshly

CRUCIFY Defined for Kids

crucify

verb cru·ci·fy \ ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī \

Definition of crucify for Students

crucified; crucifying
1 : to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross
2 : to treat cruelly or harshly
  • Dishonest judges were crucified in the newspapers.

Learn More about crucify

  1. See words that rhyme with crucify Spanish Central: Translation of crucify Nglish: Translation of crucify for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crucify for Arabic speakers

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