excoriate

USAGE SUMMARY

"excoriate" is a valid word in written English and can be used in many contexts.
An example sentence is: "The professor excoriated the student for neglecting to cite her sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

The way to win support in its argument with Japan about history is less to excoriate Japan for its past than to moderate its own present-day behaviour so that it is not seen as a threat.

The Economist

But how can a government have a serious debate about Britain and Europe if it refuses even to discuss Britain and the euro Answer: it simplifies and exaggerates, just like all the newspapers it chooses to excoriate.

The Economist

It offers a simple narrative of how problems and tragedies arise, and a beguilingly simple solution: sack, punish, excoriate the culprits.

The Economist

On April 21st the Energy and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives will excoriate the latest bunch of hapless bosses: those who had the temerity to apply accounting standard ASC 740.That is the rule under which several big firms have tallied billions of dollars of new costs stemming from the recent passage of the health-care reforms championed by Barack Obama.

The Economist

Another set of papers in the latest Lancet excoriate those who do not particularly those who persecute prostitutes.

The Economist

Fidel would use the occasion to expatiate on the statistics of Cuban economic triumphs, or to excoriate the enemy across the water in the United States.

The Economist

Most Kosovo Serbs still live in enclaves, some of which have to be protected by foreign peacekeepers.The report described by aides to its Norwegian author, Kai Eide, as a "very frank piece of paper"—will excoriate Albanian leaders for failing to protect Serbs and other minorities, and Serb politicians for refusing to act constructively in Kosovo's politics.

The Economist

Compared with that subtlety, the shortish passages which deal with the world economy (and excoriate the zealots of "trickle-down economics") stand out for their somewhat slapdash style.

The Economist

They excoriate a recent pension reform as confiscatory.

The Economist

On the other hand, it is permissible to excoriate Myanmar or Cambodia on humanitarian grounds, since neither country poses the kind of threat to the international system that realists care about.This realism-plus should be pursued, says Mr Haass, through a series of temporary alliances.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excoriate," consider the tone of your writing. This word carries a strong negative connotation, so ensure it aligns with the overall message and intended impact. It is more impactful in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "excoriate" in casual or lighthearted contexts. Its strong negative connotation can be jarring or inappropriate if the situation doesn't warrant such severity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "excoriate" is as a verb. It's used to describe the action of strongly criticizing or denouncing someone or something. As Ludwig indicates, this word choice helps to highlight a strong sense of disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excoriate" is a verb that means to strongly denounce or censure. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and primarily used in news and media, with a smaller presence in formal and business contexts. Due to its strength and negative connotation, it’s best reserved for situations where a firm condemnation is appropriate. Semantically related phrases include "denounce strongly" and "criticize severely". While "excoriate" is frequently found in formal writing, be mindful of its intensity, as this word choice may be inappropriate in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

denounce strongly

This alternative focuses on the act of public condemnation, highlighting the forceful expression of disapproval.

criticize severely

This alternative emphasizes the harshness of the critique, suggesting a strong disagreement and fault-finding.

condemn outright

This phrase highlights the complete rejection or disapproval of something, leaving no room for ambiguity.

reprobate vehemently

This alternative suggests a passionate and forceful expression of disapproval, indicating strong moral opposition.

censure harshly

This alternative focuses on formal disapproval or criticism, often by an authority figure or institution.

lambaste mercilessly

This alternative emphasizes the relentless and unforgiving nature of the criticism, highlighting its intensity.

berate severely

This alternative suggests a scolding or reprimanding tone, emphasizing the expression of anger or disappointment.

castigate publicly

This phrase highlights the act of criticizing or reprimanding someone in a public setting, often to shame them.

decry passionately

This alternative emphasizes the strong emotional opposition to something, expressing it with fervor and conviction.

attack verbally

This alternative focuses on the aggressive nature of the criticism, highlighting the use of words as a weapon.

FAQs

How do you use "excoriate" in a sentence?

Use "excoriate" to express strong disapproval or condemnation. For example, "The editorial "excoriated" the government's policy."

What can I say instead of "excoriate"?

You can use alternatives like "denounce strongly", "criticize severely", or "condemn outright" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "excoriate" or "criticize"?

"Excoriate" implies a stronger level of criticism than "criticize". "Excoriate" suggests vehement denunciation, while "criticize" is a more general term for expressing disapproval.

What's the difference between "excoriate" and "berate"?

"Excoriate" means to strongly denounce or censure, while "berate" means to scold or criticize someone angrily. "Excoriate" focuses on the act of condemnation, while "berate" focuses on the manner of scolding.