as in to blame
to subject (someone) to harsh public criticism
The press pilloried the judge for her decision.
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Recent Examples of pillory
The meltdown was so bad that Southwest was pilloried by Saturday Night Live.
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Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
Still, this investigation led German politicians to pillory the show for having misused taxpayer money toward such extravagant ends.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Ironically, Trump was punishing Syria for violating a redline that Obama had drawn and a chemical weapons disarmament agreement that Obama had struck with Syria, both of which Trump pilloried his predecessor for having done.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Baier, who has helmed eight conventions since taking over the top anchor role at Fox in 2009, has aspirations to win the ratings battle once again when Harris, whose ascendant candidacy is pilloried nightly on the network’s lineup of opinion shows, formally accepts the Democratic nomination.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pillory 
Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
Still, this investigation led German politicians to pillory the show for having misused taxpayer money toward such extravagant ends.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Ironically, Trump was punishing Syria for violating a redline that Obama had drawn and a chemical weapons disarmament agreement that Obama had struck with Syria, both of which Trump pilloried his predecessor for having done.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Baier, who has helmed eight conventions since taking over the top anchor role at Fox in 2009, has aspirations to win the ratings battle once again when Harris, whose ascendant candidacy is pilloried nightly on the network’s lineup of opinion shows, formally accepts the Democratic nomination.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pillory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pillory
Verb
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President-elect Donald Trump called for nonintervention in Syria, blaming the escalating situation on former President Barack Obama.Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Dec. 2024
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Their romance had only just been made public in 2016 and Meghan was suddenly engulfed in a storm of reporting from publications all over the world, and from the very newspapers Harry blamed for the death of his mother.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Mangione was found with a three-page handwritten manifesto criticizing the U.S. healthcare system.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Many people made public statements in support of Thompson, his family, and the capture of his killer, but others on social media celebrated the demise of a powerful figure in an industry often criticized for its denials of healthcare coverage.Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Senate hauled Live Nation’s president and CFO in for a public scolding.Allison Morrow, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
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The New York Times reported that Hegseth’s mother had sent him an email scolding him for abusing women.Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The official added that the document condemned the healthcare industry for prioritizing profits over care.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israel’s incursion, accusing it of exploiting the disarray in Syria and violating international law. Turkey, which has been a main backer of the Syrian opposition to Assad, also condemned Israel’s advance.Sarah El Deeb, Bassem Mroue, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Pillory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pillory. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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