pile on
phrasal verb
piled on; piling on; piles on
US, informal
: to join other people in criticizing something or someone in usually an unfair way
After the first few negative reviews, all the other critics started piling on.
Examples of pile on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of piling on, Trump was relatively disciplined, even criticizing George Clooney for his disloyalty.
—
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024
With the president showing no signs of offering to step aside in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris or anyone else, there is little anyone can do to force a change at the top of the ticket — but that hasn’t stopped some of Biden’s former challengers from piling on the criticism.
—Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 July 2024
And while Bishop’s supporters piled on to Jackson, Bishop told them to wait for Jackson’s forthcoming kitchen-table apology.
—Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2024
The cornflakes piled on top are honey-roasted, sticky and caramelized, making this one a leader in the W.C.M.N.C. (white chocolate macadamia nut cookie) field.
—Becky Hughes, New York Times, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for pile on 
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024
With the president showing no signs of offering to step aside in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris or anyone else, there is little anyone can do to force a change at the top of the ticket — but that hasn’t stopped some of Biden’s former challengers from piling on the criticism.
—Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 July 2024
And while Bishop’s supporters piled on to Jackson, Bishop told them to wait for Jackson’s forthcoming kitchen-table apology.
—Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2024
The cornflakes piled on top are honey-roasted, sticky and caramelized, making this one a leader in the W.C.M.N.C. (white chocolate macadamia nut cookie) field.
—Becky Hughes, New York Times, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for pile on
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pile on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Pile on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pile%20on. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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