Synonyms of pilloried

pilloried

verb

past tense of pillory

as in criticized

to subject (someone) to harsh public criticism

The press pilloried the judge for her decision.

Related Words

• criticized
• blamed
• scolded
• condemned
• denounced
• berated
• excoriated
• slammed
• lashed
• upbraided
• castigated
• crucified
• lambasted
• faulted
• panned
• blasted
• flayed
• censured
• attacked
• slagged
• hammered
• skewered
• keelhauled
• assailed
• gibbeted
• reprehended
• knocked
• dissed
• slashed
• clobbered
• complained
• derided
• tweaked
• dispraised
• groused
• admonished
• whined
• bitched
• carped
• nicked (at)
• kicked
• reprimanded
• griped
• muttered
• disparaged
• grumbled
• sniped (at)
• belittled
• murmured
• quibbled
• rebuked
• reproached
• moaned
• beefed
• crabbed
• decried
• bellyached
• drubbed
• niggled
• growled
• kvetched
• reproved
• caviled
• chid
• croaked
• bad-mouthed
• fussed
• discommended
• put down

Dissimilar Words

• approved
• endorsed
• recommended
• sanctioned
• commended
• praised
• lauded
• extolled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pilloried

He was soon being pilloried on several fronts including management decisions that alienated key executives, and a public fight with star Scarlett Johansson. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

No wonder Izzy gets pilloried so many times just for having the driest sense of humor. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Several weeks later, Escobar’s staffer, who had previously entered the facility without incident, was identified by ICE and pilloried on Fox News for, according to the agency, trying to gain entry by falsely claiming to be a lawyer. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

At the time, this movie was pilloried by most critics. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026

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

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