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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Examples 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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But after one more chuckle, Julia jumps in and scolds her too.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
5 Jan. 2025
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Copied Share Laughter as Putin appears to scold the moderator Keir Simmons Reporting from Moscow Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who is moderating the conference scolded people for asking more than one question, only to be mildly mocked by Putin.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Throughout the interior of the villa, guests can expect minimalist design with thoughtful historic touches — keep your eyes peeled for original details like wood floors, exposed beams, and doors.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2025
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The report also called for repairs of peeling and cracking floor surface coating, which prevents them from being cleaned properly.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
6 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 22 Jan. 2025.
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