crucify

verb

cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī 

crucified; crucifying

transitive verb

1

: to put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross

2

: to destroy the power of : mortify

crucify the flesh

3

a

: to treat cruelly : torment

b

: pillory sense 2

crucified in the press

crucifier

ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī-ər 

noun

Examples of crucify in a Sentence

They crucified her in the newspapers for having an affair.

Recent Examples on the Web

First glorified then crucified, Joan’s mythologized fate encapsulates the precarious role of women in society — particularly those in the limelight. —Tacita Quinn, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024

Like, my parents took off work to watch their son get crucified by 12 white children. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024

Some connect bad luck to biblical tradition, where Christ was believed to be crucified on a Friday, and Judas (the 13th person at the Last Supper) is believed to have betrayed Jesus. —Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2024

Richardson's situation is just one of many examples where athletes (especially Black women who are also overly scrutinized) are held to a higher standard than the average individual and crucified for anything that may seem to jeopardize their chance at winning. —Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 22 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crucifien, from Anglo-French crucifier, from Late Latin crucifigere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crucify

verb

cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī 

crucified; crucifying

1

: to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross

2

: to treat cruelly : torture, persecute

were crucified in the newspapers

crucifier

-fī-ər 

noun

Etymology

Middle English crucifien "to crucify," from early French crucifier (same meaning), from Latin crucifigere "to crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" and figere "to fasten, fix" — related to cross, crucifix, excruciating, fix