Excoriate
hardEK-skor-ee-ayt
verb
Definition
To criticize severely; to strip off the skin
Examples
“The editorial excoriated the government for its inaction.”
“Critics excoriated the film as pretentious and hollow.”
Categories
GRE Tip
Excoriate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "castigate" or "lambaste" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "praise".
Related GRE Words
berate
To scold or criticize someone angrily and at length
objurgate
To rebuke severely; to scold harshly
vituperate
To blame or insult someone in strong or violent language
castigate
To criticize or reprimand severely
chastise
To rebuke or reprimand severely; to punish
lambaste
To criticize harshly; to berate
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