Synonyms of flaying

flaying

verb

present participle of flay

1

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolding
• lecturing
• reprimanding
• criticizing
• blaming
• berating
• upbraiding
• attacking
• mocking
• chastising
• ragging
• admonishing
• hammering
• castigating
• rebuking
• basting
• reproaching
• lambasting
• keelhauling
• jawing
• calling down
• scoring
• bawling out
• dressing down
• reaming (out)
• ranting (at)
• faulting
• railing (at or against)
• lashing
• rating
• tongue-lashing
• chiding
• slamming
• chewing out
• laying into
• crucifying
• assailing
• condemning
• excoriating
• blasting
• knocking
• scourging
• reviling
• denouncing
• reading the riot act (to)
• taking to task
• abusing
• haranguing
• reproving
• ridiculing
• panning
• censuring
• disparaging
• belittling
• remonstrating (with)
• lacing (into)
• scorning
• scoffing
• bad-mouthing
• vituperating
• dissing
• reprehending
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning
• praising
• extolling
• lauding

2

as in peeling

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

• peeling
• barking
• skinning
• shucking
• husking
• scaling
• shelling
• stripping
• exposing
• baring
• hulling
• denuding
• paring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flaying

The Saints also appeared to have scored a defensive touchdown when edge rusher Chase Young hit Lions QB Jared Goff hard from behind, sending the ball flaying backward toward the Detroit goal line. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Dwight grabbed my arm, wrenching my hand out of my pocket, flaying it like a fish, pulling me along. — Literary Hub, 15 May 2026