1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flay
Smoking in a raffish suit like a film noir baddie with a shock of red hair ready to torch the world, Noble’s Richard employs a dusky, ironic voice to flaying effect.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The apostle was believed to have met his martyrdom by being flayed alive.
—Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Most repellent of all is a slow-burn sequence in which the Jimmys, having stumbled on a small community of survivors, proceed to string them up in a barn and gradually, meticulously flay them alive.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
This led to the investigation of Gein’s farm that unearthed his atrocities, including Worden’s body being decapitated, flayed, and hung in his shed.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flay
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
The apostle was believed to have met his martyrdom by being flayed alive.
—Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Most repellent of all is a slow-burn sequence in which the Jimmys, having stumbled on a small community of survivors, proceed to string them up in a barn and gradually, meticulously flay them alive.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
This led to the investigation of Gein’s farm that unearthed his atrocities, including Worden’s body being decapitated, flayed, and hung in his shed.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flay
Verb
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Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
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Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Bad teams are given mechanisms to recover, not lectures about bootstraps.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
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One can scarcely imagine Davis agreeing to a management interview with Forbes or lecturing executives about organizational leadership.—
Bill Fischer,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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That reprimand — for insubordination — eventually led to Rosen’s departure from the office in March.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
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Yeboah was being reprimanded for an incident in Wednesday’s training session, but the exact circumstances are not yet known.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flay. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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