excoriates

verb

present tense third-person singular of excoriate
1
as in attacks
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irritates
to make sore by continued rubbing the manacles had badly excoriated the prisoner's wrists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of excoriates 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 Woodcutters sets forth the musings of a narrator sitting in an armchair at a dinner party who excoriates the literary awards establishments of his native land (and by extension all lands that are host to a robust bourgeoisie). — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excoriates
  1. attacks
  2. irritates
  3. scolds
  4. slams
  5. criticizes
  6. abuses
  7. assails
  8. lambastes
Verb
  • Ronald agrees to a quote that attacks Cooper for allowing violent criminals a second chance, when his son wouldn’t get one.
    — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • At the end of episode 5, Gerry attacks Danny at his and Chad’s house and breaks into the basement with all of Chad’s prosthetics on display, giving him evidence of their fraud.
    — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of attacks
Verb
  • Knowing that Madame Lalouette’s sales numbers are too high to fire her, Carla attempts to transfer Madame Morel to a different department — a move that irritates her superiors and highlights her weakness.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritates
Verb
  • Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolds
Verb
  • Hawaii is under a state of emergency as Hurricane Lowell slams the islands with life-threatening rain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In one of the most memorable panels in superherocomic history, Bane, having beaten Batman down in his own Batcave, lifts the hero over his head and slams him down over his knee, breaking his back.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of slams
Verb
  • The article criticizes the lack of comparative studies showing firms implementing these remedies outperform similar ones that don't.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Lebanese leader criticizes Israel Saturday’s strikes are the deadliest since the truce went into effect two months ago.
    — Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticizes
Verb
  • Detectives will continue investigating these cases aggressively, and anyone who abuses their position with a child will be held accountable.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • New York City’s child welfare agency routinely abuses its emergency power to take children from their parents without a court order, creating lifelong consequences for families, a new class-action lawsuit seeking to end the practice alleged Thursday.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Definition of abuses
Verb
  • The war in Gaza has become a dividing line between the two candidates, both of whom are Jewish, as Lander assails Goldman for not being tough enough on Israel over its military action against Palestinians.
    — Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 23 June 2026
  • As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of assails
Verb
  • Will Oscar and guild voters want to throw their weight behind a movie that lambastes the very technology that threatens their existence?
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
  • Mikey lambastes him anyway, turning a speech in praise of Richie into a searing evisceration.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2026
Definition of lambastes

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Cite this Entry

“Excoriates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excoriates. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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