Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

excoriate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of excoriate

1 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.
Synonyms of excoriate

abuse, assail, attack, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, jump (on), lambaste (or lambast), potshot, savage, scathe, slam, vituperate
Words Related to excoriate

berate, harangue, harass, harry, revile, scold, whip

blaspheme, curse, execrate, imprecate, profane

affront, insult, slur

asperse, bad-mouth, belittle, blackguard, disparage, put down

libel, slander, traduce, vilify

chastise, chide, criticize, lace (into), rebuke, reprimand, reproof

fulminate, lash (out)
Phrases Synonymous with excoriate

beat up on, light into, sail into, tie into
Near Antonyms of excoriate

acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise
2 to make sore by continued rubbing
  • The new shoes had badly excoriated his heels.
Synonyms of excoriate

abrade, chafe, fret, gall, irritate
Words Related to excoriate

graze, scrape, scratch

burn, inflame (also enflame)

flay, peel, skin

Learn More about excoriate

  1. See words that rhyme with excoriate Dictionary: Definition of excoriate Nglish: Translation of excoriate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of excoriate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up excoriate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games