as in criticized
to subject (someone) to harsh public criticism
The press pilloried the judge for her decision.
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Recent Examples of pilloried
Monroe was pilloried, in her moment, but she was also allowed by Hollywood to test her talents in a manner that, decades later, actresses known for their physicality still struggle to do.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
The franchise’s last movie, 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, was pilloried by critics and fans, though still managed to squeak past the $1 billion mark globally (people wanted to see how the Skywalker Saga story concluded, but were decidedly unimpressed with the result).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
The acerbic toon has aired more than 330 episodes and pilloried scores of subjects and celebrities since its 1997 launch.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 19 May 2026
But those who voted for a non-binding pro-ICE resolution have been pilloried for it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
The prince was himself pilloried for wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party 20 years ago and also acknowledged this.
—Reuters, NBC news, 14 May 2026
On social media, he was getting pilloried by Fuentes’s legions of fans, many of them alienated young conservatives who call themselves Groypers, in honor of an obese version of the Pepe the Frog meme.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
As an 18-year-old, Bedard was pilloried for having a minus-44 rating.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza grew, Biden was pilloried by segments of the Democratic Party, who turned against Israel.
—James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
The franchise’s last movie, 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, was pilloried by critics and fans, though still managed to squeak past the $1 billion mark globally (people wanted to see how the Skywalker Saga story concluded, but were decidedly unimpressed with the result).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
The acerbic toon has aired more than 330 episodes and pilloried scores of subjects and celebrities since its 1997 launch.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 19 May 2026
But those who voted for a non-binding pro-ICE resolution have been pilloried for it.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
The prince was himself pilloried for wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party 20 years ago and also acknowledged this.
—Reuters, NBC news, 14 May 2026
On social media, he was getting pilloried by Fuentes’s legions of fans, many of them alienated young conservatives who call themselves Groypers, in honor of an obese version of the Pepe the Frog meme.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
As an 18-year-old, Bedard was pilloried for having a minus-44 rating.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza grew, Biden was pilloried by segments of the Democratic Party, who turned against Israel.
—James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilloried
Verb
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When the Biden administration had any number of bizarre performances, celebrations and statements, Stern and those like her angrily denounced anyone who criticized them.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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The United States, widely criticized under President Joe Biden for not reining in brutal Israeli excesses in Gaza, is now trying to curtail Israeli action in tackling the more existential security challenge to its north with Hezbollah.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Verb
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In March 2026, a detainee escaped from the facility, which ICE officials blamed on the contractors' inability to track people housed there.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Its satellites have been blamed for interfering with astronomical observations and posing an ever-increasing risk of space collisions.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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This time, however, Charlotte promptly scolded him for his untoward behavior.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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Four years ago, Infantino scolded critics during a news conference ahead of the opener in Qatar.—
Carlos Rodriguez,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Powell himself condemned the investigation in a rare statement.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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Russia condemned on Wednesday a European Union decision to authorize EU vessels in the Mediterranean to stop and inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of a shadow fleet transporting Russian oil.—
Azhar Sukri,
CNBC,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
When the Biden administration had any number of bizarre performances, celebrations and statements, Stern and those like her angrily denounced anyone who criticized them.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
On Friday, the New York City Democratic Socialists of America — an organization that represents Mamdani’s core base — denounced his administration’s move to grow the city’s police headcount in a rare public rebuke.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilloried.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilloried. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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