Synonyms of excoriate

excoriate

verb

ek-ˈskȯr-ē-ˌāt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• scold
• slam
• criticize
• insult
• assail
• castigate
• savage
• lambaste
• abuse
• vituperate
• blast
• jump (on)
• bash
• tie into
• belabor
• harass
• scathe
• berate
• curse
• revile
• potshot
• sail into
• disparage
• trash
• beat up on
• harangue
• reprimand
• vilify
• blaspheme
• chide
• chastise
• belittle
• affront
• execrate
• light into
• harry
• slander
• libel
• imprecate
• bad-mouth
• asperse
• profane
• fulminate
• slur
• traduce
• blackguard
• rebuke
• whip
• lash (out)
• lace (into)
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• praise
• compliment
• hail
• laud
• acclaim

2

as in to irritate

to make sore by continued rubbing

the manacles had badly excoriated the prisoner's wrists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritate
• scratch
• scrape
• fret
• chafe
• gall
• abrade
• skin
• graze
• burn
• peel
• inflame
• flay

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excoriate

The rules governing red cards are sacrosanct in the international game, and Belgium were joined by legions of federations, fans, pundits, heads of state and former referees in excoriating FIFA for the decision to let Balogun play. — Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

There's still guys that will just excoriate me up there. — Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Smullen’s campaign launched an anti-Constantino website that excoriates him for, among many other things, his past registration as a Democrat. — Michael Hill, Fortune, 12 June 2026

Jim Trusty, the lawyer for Rozier, excoriated the league after a hearing Wednesday that served as a status update on Rozier’s case, as well as the other three defendants who remain indicted alongside him. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 11 June 2026

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