pile-on

American  

[pahyl-on, ‐-awn] / ˈpaɪlˌɒn, ‐ˌɔn /

noun

1. the action of followers who join a hostile group in harshly criticizing or judging a less dominant group or individual, sometimes gloating over that group’s or person's defeat or diminished standing (often used attributively): Social media encourages a kind of pile-on mentality that is very unforgiving of mistakes and flaws.

   Long after the merciless baiting ceased to be funny, her critics continued to join the pile-on.

   Social media encourages a kind of pile-on mentality that is very unforgiving of mistakes and flaws.

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Etymology

Origin of pile-on

Noun use of verb phrase pile on

Example Sentences

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace joined the pile-on by declaring that New York “deserves better.”

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2026

The risk is a pile-on that would be the mirror image of Bitcoin ETFs’ role in last year’s Bitcoin rally, when the surge of inflows to the new funds helped drive the crypto higher.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

The pile-on continued and some said this could tank her chances of running for office in the future.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2024

After The Rock joined the pile-on, museum bosses vowed to "rework" it.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2023

All it took was a few internet sleuths digging around to instigate a pile-on that ruined Ray Epps’ life.

From Slate • Sep. 25, 2023

Related Words

• exaggerate
• overestimate
• overplay
• overrate
• overreach
• overstate
• overuse
• overvalue