pillory

verb

Definition of pillorynext
as in to blame
to subject (someone) to harsh public criticism The press pilloried the judge for her decision.

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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 pillory 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 See All Example Sentences for pillory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillory
  1. blame
  2. criticize
  3. scold
  4. condemn
  5. denounce
Verb
  • Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei blamed Washington for the chaos gripping the region.
    — Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei blamed Washington for the chaos gripping the Middle East.
    — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • His past medical reports have been criticized for offering limited detail and including statistics that some health professionals have viewed with skepticism.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • During the Democratic state convention in Corpus Christi last month, the Democratic candidate for governor, Gina Hinojosa, criticized Abbott.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Remake includes footage of Adrian urging his father to consider Carr’s offer, and gently scolding him for having passed up certain opportunities to make money—money that would have made the family's life better—off his filmmaking acumen.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
  • In February, a California judge reportedly scolded Meta’s own lawyers for wearing the smart glasses in court.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Oman’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the latest attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait in an X post, warning that the escalation of military tensions in the region poses a threat to not only its security, but overall maritime safety.
    — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • Another condemned the preference shown for evangelical Christian translations of the Bible over a diversity of translations, inclusive of many denominations.
    — Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • Washington denounces Cuba’s overseas medical missions as exploitative and presses allies to drop them, but Calabria’s governor says losing the doctors would cripple care and vows to keep them.
    — Paolo Santalucia, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Obama had no patience for Americans who denounced their country for being irredeemably flawed.
    — Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of denounce

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“Pillory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillory. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pillory

Nglish: Translation of pillory for Spanish Speakers

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