1
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
the mayor had hardly been in office for a month before she was being excoriated for problems of very long standing
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Recent Examples of excoriate
McCarthy, an actress, model and talk show host, has been excoriated by the scientific community for her belief that vaccines caused her son to develop autism.
—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
National security leaders’ use of Signal to discuss plans for airstrikes in Yemen made for a contentious hearing Tuesday, as Senate Intelligence Democrats excoriated Trump administration officials for their carelessness, and chat participants denied discussing classified information.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
The dissenting justices excoriated the administration for abusing the Alien Enemies Act.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Warner overall excoriated the officials on the text list, some of whom were at the hearing, about the overall lapse in security and the dangers of alienating allies.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excoriate
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
National security leaders’ use of Signal to discuss plans for airstrikes in Yemen made for a contentious hearing Tuesday, as Senate Intelligence Democrats excoriated Trump administration officials for their carelessness, and chat participants denied discussing classified information.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
The dissenting justices excoriated the administration for abusing the Alien Enemies Act.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Warner overall excoriated the officials on the text list, some of whom were at the hearing, about the overall lapse in security and the dangers of alienating allies.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excoriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excoriate
Verb
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An adult son had attacked his mother with a machete and ran to a nearby house, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2025
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While in federal prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons, Stroud attacked another inmate, resulting in his transfer to USP Leavenworth.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Use your hands: Since washcloths and sponges can irritate the skin, apply cleansers using your fingers, moving then over the skin in a circular motion.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2025
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Aggressive or improper neck manipulation can irritate or compress nerves in your cervical spine, causing pain, numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling that radiates into your shoulders, arms, or hands.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
12 May 2025
Verb
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After performing spirited pieces from the Prime Video superhero drama at Deadline’s Sound & Screen: Television event, composers Christopher Lennertz and Matt Bowen were asked if they’ve ever been scolded for going too far with their music.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
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Similar circumstances were noted at most airports across the country, with media reporting that those without a Real ID have faced little more than a scolding from TSA agents or a reminder to book an appointment soon to get a Star Card.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Several Democratic members of Congress criticized her firing.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Verb
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The post also slammed Springsteen for speaking out against the president while abroad rather than while on US soil.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
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Trump’s post came after Swift slammed Trump for using AI images of her to endorse his 2024 presidential run.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
16 May 2025
Verb
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On a trip into town, Lucas gets into a scuffle with another boy who’s insulting their late mother, hurting him.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2025
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Later, the man Husk is chasing, Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), follows him to a hunting ground and insults Husk’s chain-smoking, suggesting his smell keeps the elk away.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excoriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excoriate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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