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Definition of "crucify" [cru•ci•fy]

  • To put (a person) to death by nailing or binding to a cross. (verb-transitive)
  • To mortify or subdue (the flesh). (verb-transitive)
  • To treat cruelly; torment: crucified the awkward child with teasing. (verb-transitive)
  • To criticize harshly; pillory: The media crucified the politician for breaking a campaign pledge. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "crucify" in a sentence
  • "The cross is the instrument of death, and to crucify is to kill."
  • "The Portland Observer published a brief piece by Jake Thomas titled "State rep candidate wants to 'crucify' his opponent.""
  • "Lincoln pointed out that the Northerners who opposed slavery had to "crucify" their feelings about it to carry on with business as usual."