1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flay
The upper fangs sank into Wyatt’s left cheek, just below his eye socket, the lower into his top lip and right nostril, flaying his face in four separate places.
—
Malcolm Brooks Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The massive main compartment flays open completely near the back panel for easy packing and unpacking, with several other zippered access points for stuffing or pulling layers out on-the-go.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
However, for somebody whose arm has been flayed and who spent all night looking at the Hannibal art installation that was once his wife, Donald is acting way too normal.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Grammy winner Williams flays the mysterious character, and opens the show with her powerful vocals.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flay
Malcolm Brooks Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The massive main compartment flays open completely near the back panel for easy packing and unpacking, with several other zippered access points for stuffing or pulling layers out on-the-go.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
However, for somebody whose arm has been flayed and who spent all night looking at the Hannibal art installation that was once his wife, Donald is acting way too normal.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Grammy winner Williams flays the mysterious character, and opens the show with her powerful vocals.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flay
Verb
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The White House was reprimanded: A federal judge scolded the Trump administration for failing to try to return the man.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2025
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In Congress, Trump’s Tariff Pullback Sparks Relief, Frustration, and Suspicion At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But Lewandowski is about to peel away to the far post, opening up space for Torres to run to the near post.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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Once the eggs are peeled, the sulfur smell spreads more quickly.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Quilting group hosts lecture, workshop El Camino Quilt Guild meets at 9:30 a.m. April 8 at El Corazon Senior Center, 3302 Senior Center Drive.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
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But the club’s members didn’t lecture or advocate until 20 years after its 1876 founding.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mickey Rourke was reprimanded on Celebrity Big Brother UK after using a homophobic slur toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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The mom comes back and then reprimanded me for not supporting her baby’s head.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flay. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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