WordLens

excoriate

1 of 1verb
/ɪkˈskɔriˌeɪt/
Forms:excoriates,excoriating,excoriated,excoriated
1

to severely condemn through a harsh verbal criticism or attack

  • In his blistering monologue, the pundit excoriated the politicians for their hypocrisy and lies.
  • Activists excoriate oil companies for denying the realities of climate change.
  • Rather than constructive criticism, she prefers a supportive approach to coaching without excoriating mistakes.
  • The activist excoriated the organization for its environmental negligence.
  • By the end of the debate, he will have excoriated his opponent’s arguments thoroughly.
2

to damage or remove the skin by abrasion

  • The rough rope excoriated his hands during the climb.
  • Scraping against the rock excoriated her knees.
  • The doctor treated the area where the skin was excoriated.
  • Constant rubbing excoriated his ankles.
  • The fall excoriated the skin on his elbows.
Synonyms: