as in to blame
to subject (someone) to harsh public criticism
The press pilloried the judge for her decision.
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Recent Examples of pillory
Some economists pilloried Biden at the time, saying the third round of stimulus relief was unnecessary, excessive and likely to overheat the economy.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
The lack of activity was pilloried on sports talk radio and in various online Canucks fan spaces.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
This man has been pilloried on social media plenty this season.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Legal eagles on social media were eager to point out the hiccups in the formatting and more than a few typos that were cleaned-up on the White House’s website before they got pilloried too badly.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pillory
Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
The lack of activity was pilloried on sports talk radio and in various online Canucks fan spaces.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
This man has been pilloried on social media plenty this season.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Legal eagles on social media were eager to point out the hiccups in the formatting and more than a few typos that were cleaned-up on the White House’s website before they got pilloried too badly.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pillory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillory
Verb
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India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation rejected by Islamabad.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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Such a strategy seeks to blame the EU for ‘forcing’ its member states to shoulder the burden of caring for refugees, at the expense of their own citizens.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
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In the Verizon and T-Mobile deals, the FCC only approved the transaction after each company agreed to end DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies criticized by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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In discussing the Afrikaners, Trump will encourage Ramaphosa's government to condemn what the White House official described as incendiary rhetoric against them by politicians.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Prompted by a petition from white residents in 1924, the Manhattan City Beach council voted to condemn the land to build a public park, driving the Bruce family out of the area.—
Mariette Williams,
Essence,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pillory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillory. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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