Crucify
/ˈkɹuːsɪfaɪ/ verb, slang
verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To execute (a person) by nailing to a cross. transitive
- 2 criticize harshly or violently wordnet
- 3 To punish or otherwise express extreme anger at, especially as a scapegoat or target of outrage. excessive, transitive
"After his public gaffe, he was crucified in the media."
- 4 hold within limits and control wordnet
- 5 To thoroughly beat at a sport or game. excessive, informal, transitive
"West Ham beat Manchester City five nil–they crucified them!"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 treat cruelly wordnet
- 7 kill by nailing onto a cross wordnet
Antonyms
All antonymsExample
More examples"As he was being crucified, Spartacus said, "Woe to you slaves, for you crucify a free man.""
Etymology
From Middle English crucifien, from Old French crucefier, from Late Latin crucificō, from Latin crucifigō.