pile-on

[pahyl-on, ‐-awn]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pile-on¹

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

That preceded a difficult hearing for Kennedy in which several Republican senators joined the Democratic pile-on.

From Slate

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

The replies to the post were a pile-on of angry demands that Patel focus instead on arresting Clinton and various other prominent figures they believe were involved in an international pedophilia blood-drinking cult with Epstein.

From Salon

Related Words

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