excoriation

American  

[ik-skawr-ee-ey-shuhn, -skohr-] / ɪkˌskɔr iˈeɪ ʃən, -ˌskoʊr- /

noun

1. the act of excoriating.

2. the state of being excoriated.

3. an excoriated place on the body.

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Usage

What does excoriation mean? Excoriation is the act or an instance of excoriating—harshly scolding, criticizing, denouncing, or expressing intense disapproval of someone or something.Excoriating someone often involves the severest possible tone and words.This sense of excoriate is based on its original, literal meaning: to strip off or remove the skin from an animal or person. The skin on your hands might be excoriated from hard yard work, for example. The word flay can be used as a synonym for both the figurative and literal sense of excoriate.Excoriation can also refer to the state of being excoriated.In a medical context, excoriation can refer to an instance of the skin being scratched, scraped, or otherwise caused to be rubbed off or removed. It can also refer to a part of the body where this has happened, as in The patient had a large excoriation on his back as a result of the accident. Example: Her public excoriation of her rival for his role in the scandal was severe and unyielding.

Etymology

Origin of excoriation

1375–1425; late Middle English excoriacioun < Medieval Latin excoriātiōn- (stem of excoriātiō ). See excoriate, -ion

Compare meaning

How does excoriation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• excoriation vs. abrasion

Example Sentences

There is an excoriation of the writing of Tom Wolfe.

From Los Angeles Times

By contrast, this latest book feels like an excoriation of his adopted homeland, a lament about the direction it took during the Trump administration and a cautionary tale about where it could end up.

From Washington Post

Activist investor Nelson Peltz’s excoriation of Iger’s decision to load up on content for the streaming wars by buying Rupert Murdoch’s TV and movie studios and other entertainment assets has touched off a spirited debate.

From Los Angeles Times

Since then, he has devoted his energies to a public excoriation of senior military figures that would have once been unthinkable.

From New York Times

“Thrust” is the culmination of everything she has been writing toward, a blistering excoriation of power structures that also honors the resilience of those who fight back.

From Los Angeles Times