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.

---

Etymology

Origin of pile-on

Noun use of verb phrase pile on

Example Sentences

Spoon over warm rice and pile on whatever toppings you have around: avocado, cheese, cabbage, cilantro, leftover pico or a squeeze of lime.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

But as the years and resentments pile on, their cancerous brotherhood threatens to obliterate them both.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The Northern Irishman had slipped off the top of the pile on Friday following a disastrous second round in which he landed in the water four times.

From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026

Back then, debate over Geriatric Millennials sparked self-deprecating jokes, think pieces and quizzes dictating if you're meant to pile on the ribbing or be subjected to it.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

Then I looked at the rubble pile on the side of the building.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

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