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

The grief quickly gave way to an even more unifying pile-on against Kirk critics.

From Salon

The “high-profile attacks ... serve as dog whistles for a pile-on.”

From Los Angeles Times

Being super hot probably didn’t hurt either, but it was seeing Arenales stand up for our sweet Amaya Papaya against a pile-on from his fellow male islanders that sealed the deal — not just for Espinal, but for the viewers, in particular Latinx ones.

From Los Angeles Times

Others defended her, and expressed discomfort at seeing such a young actress suffer a pile-on.

From BBC

The daughter of late Sen. John McCain and one-time daytime television host was joining in a pile-on of Joy Behar.

From Salon

Related Words

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