FLAYING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

flaying

verb

present participle of flay

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in peeling

to remove the natural covering of flayed their kill right there in the forest, taking both the meat and the skin home

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of flaying The end came with England on 50-0, with Stokes flaying Foulkes to Mitchell at mid-on. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 Dwight grabbed my arm, wrenching my hand out of my pocket, flaying it like a fish, pulling me along. — Literary Hub, 15 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flaying

Verb

Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Do not punish your dog by scolding or yelling at them, as this may make your dog's behavior worse out of fear or stress.

— Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

According to Chicago Public Schools, reports of peeling paint and possible mold in limited areas of the building were flagged earlier this month.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
The liner immediately started peeling, and algae formed at the top of the pool, with pieces of lining floating on top.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of peeling

Verb

Approaching hesitant individuals Health experts said that addressing vaccine-hesitant people starts with listening rather than lecturing.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.

— David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of lecturing

Verb

Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio of San Diego has vocalized his opposition in discussions of the bill, criticizing the idea of providing funding to outlets that make political endorsements.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Yiannopoulos rose to prominence through his provocative statements criticizing political correctness, feminism and Islam.

— Chris Arnold, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

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flayed

flaying

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“Flaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flaying. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flaying

verb

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