Excoriate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To excoriate means to severely criticize or denounce someone or something harshly. It can also refer to physically scraping or wearing off the skin, though this usage is less common.
Definition:
To criticize severely or harshly, often publicly.
Synonyms:
berate, censure, lambaste, reprimand
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
praise, commend
Common Collocations:
excoriate a decision, excoriate an article, excoriate publicly
Derivatives:
excoriation, excoriating
Usage Tips:
Use "excoriate" for strong criticism, often in formal or public contexts.
Common Phrases:
excoriate someone's actions, excoriate in the press, excoriate a policy
Etymology:
From Latin "excoriare," meaning "to strip off the skin."
Examples:
- 1. The critic excoriated the film for its poor plot.
- 2. She excoriated her colleague for missing the deadline.
- 3. The article excoriated the government's handling of the crisis.
- 4. He was excoriated online for his insensitive remarks.