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 radical potential of the scene has mostly evaporated, flattened and flayed into vague signifiers.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
Some of the homes were shoved off their concrete footings, while others had their roofs flayed off by the wind.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2024
Among the dead was Hugh de Cressingham, the king’s treasurer, whose corpse was reportedly flayed to make a sheath for Wallace’s sword.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2024
Graphic contemporary news footage shows Mussolini’s ignominious end, when his abused corpse was publicly flayed by anyone who wanted to take a whack at it.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flay 
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
Some of the homes were shoved off their concrete footings, while others had their roofs flayed off by the wind.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2024
Among the dead was Hugh de Cressingham, the king’s treasurer, whose corpse was reportedly flayed to make a sheath for Wallace’s sword.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2024
Graphic contemporary news footage shows Mussolini’s ignominious end, when his abused corpse was publicly flayed by anyone who wanted to take a whack at it.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flay
Verb
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The Anti-Defamation League is scolding Elon Musk after coming to the billionaire titan’s defense earlier in the week.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
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Those opinions are usually punctuated by scolding those who do not immediately comply.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The easy-to-apply wallpaper is safe to use, nice quality, and doesn’t peel or tear when applying, per reviewers.—
Kelsey Fredricks,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Jan. 2025
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For many of us stateside Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a moment to breathe and at times peel back a layer and rest.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Weissmann also lectured at Harvard, Yale and the AFI and taught at USC and Sherwood Oaks Experimental College.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
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But first, she is scolded, lectured and psychoanalyzed by the prosecutor and judge.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead of a letter of concern, the board officially reprimanded Simmons.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
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Handler told Parade in a Jan. 3 cover story that the Grace and Frankie star reprimanded her for poor behavior at the event.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near flay
Cite this Entry
“Flay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flay. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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