flayed

verb

past tense of flay
1
as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in peeled
to remove the natural covering of flayed their kill right there in the forest, taking both the meat and the skin home

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 flayed Hamilton has flayed his Republican opponent for not holding public town halls -- an argument that resonates with Ubel. — Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 The children are dismembered and penetrated, flayed alive, disemboweled, and their intestines set alight. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 But after Richard’s death, his mercenary captain and right-hand man, the infamous Mercadier, had Basile flayed alive and hanged. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The apostle was believed to have met his martyrdom by being flayed alive. — Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flayed
  1. scolded
  2. peeled
  3. lectured
  4. reprimanded
  5. blamed
  6. criticized
Verb
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
  • For over a year, the White House has scolded and threatened the Smithsonian.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolded
Verb
  • Whether roasted until soft and caramelized, pureed or peeled in fresh veggie ribbons, September’s abundant harvest offers the ultimate bridge between late-summer sun and early-autumn comfort.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • While on the trail, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife your dog may be tempted to chase.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of peeled
Verb
  • Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lectured
Verb
  • Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimanded
Verb
  • His minor-league numbers weren’t stellar, but some of that can be blamed on the Pacific Coast League.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The attacks early Tuesday came hours after the rebels blamed Saudi Arabia for an airstrike that hit a prison in Yemen’s northern province of Jawf.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of blamed
Verb
  • Another user also criticized the company in a Microsoft Learn article, and pointed to Harry Potter author JK Rowling and her controversial views on transgender people.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Their friendship is apparently still solid, and Swift hasn’t publicly criticized him or Macklemore.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticized

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Cite this Entry

“Flayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flayed. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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