Excoriated, in its most common usage, describes the act of severely criticizing or censuring someone or something. It suggests a harsh and often public denunciation, going beyond simple disagreement to express strong disapproval and condemnation. The term also literally applies to the physical removal or abrasion of skin, but the figurative meaning, pertaining to language and actions, is far more prevalent. Excoriation often implies a sense of moral outrage or righteous anger directed towards the subject of the criticism, indicating a belief that the actions or words are deeply wrong or harmful. The language used in excoriation is typically intense, passionate, and aimed at causing discomfort or shame in the target. The process leaves the target with some physical and emotional damage.
Excoriated meaning with examples
- The columnist excoriated the politician's hypocrisy in a scathing editorial, detailing the discrepancies between his public statements and private actions. The readers and others online read the article with much enthusiasm, commenting in support of the author's excoriation. The comments were generally critical and harsh, condemning the politician's behavior as profoundly dishonest and betraying public trust.
- After the scandal broke, the media excoriated the company's leadership for their gross negligence in the safety measures. They had failed to protect the public and their workers and made a terrible misstep and lack of planning. The devastating reviews called into question the company's core values and the moral integrity of the entire corporation.
- The environmental activist excoriated the oil company for its environmentally damaging practices and their negligence with the recent oil spills. They created and continued an aggressive campaign that resulted in major boycotts. The activist used vivid and impactful language to highlight the company's negative impact on the planet and human health in their scathing excoriation.
- The teacher excoriated the students for their disrespectful behavior towards each other, especially regarding bullying. The incident caused serious harm to the student body and required the administration to work towards creating a new code of conduct. The students realized how their actions had offended the teacher.
- The art critic excoriated the artist's latest exhibition, dismissing it as pretentious, superficial, and lacking any genuine artistic merit. It was a savage excoriation, as the art critic stated that the lack of content was a complete waste of everyone's time. The excoriation brought with it strong opinions by others that caused a stir in the art community.
Excoriated Crossword Answers
6 Letters
FLAYED