excoriate

/ɛkˈskɔriˌeɪt/

Other forms: excoriated; excoriating; excoriates

When it comes to “telling someone off,” excoriate is reserved for the most severe cases. So, before you excoriate your little sister for borrowing your favorite jacket without permission, consider whether she truly deserves such harsh treatment.

If you excoriate someone, you let that person know that you really, really disagree with them. This verb goes beyond mere criticism; it implies anger, a harsh and insulting tone, and even a scathing attack. Synonyms of excoriate include denounce, decry, and condemn. In a medical sense, excoriate means “to tear skin off by chafing.” A bad rug burn can excoriate your skin. If someone excoriates you verbally, it might make you feel like you’ve been physically excoriated.

Definitions of excoriate

1. verb

   express strong disapproval of
   synonyms: condemn, decry, objurgate, reprobate

   type of:

   denounce

   speak out against
2. verb

   tear or wear off the skin or make sore by abrading
   synonyms: chafe

   type of:

   abrade, abrase, corrade, rub down, rub off

   wear away