crucify

[ kroo-suh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, cru·ci·fied, cru·ci·fy·ing.

1. to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross.
2. to treat with gross injustice; persecute; torment; torture.
3. to subdue (passion, sin, etc.).

crucify

/ ˈkruːsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to put to death by crucifixion
2. slang.
   to defeat, ridicule, etc, totally

   the critics crucified his performance

3. to treat very cruelly; torment
4. to subdue (passion, lust, etc); mortify

Derived Forms

• ˈcruciˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• cruci·fier noun
• un·cruci·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucify¹

Middle English crucifien < Anglo-French, Old French crucifier < Latin crucifīgere, equivalent to Latin cruci- (stem of crux ) cross + fīgere to fix, bind fast

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucify¹

C13: from Old French crucifier, from Late Latin crucifīgere to crucify, to fasten to a cross, from Latin crux cross + fīgere to fasten

Example Sentences

Trump seizes every opportunity to play the crucified Christ but one that will never turn the other cheek.

From Salon

It marks the discovery of the cross Jesus was crucified on, according to Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition.

From BBC

She added that she felt like “everybody’s trying to crucify me” for her relationship with Combs and that she needed to “take a break and focus on what’s important” when the allegations came down.

From Los Angeles Times

The painting itself refers to the final meal that Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles had before he was crucified, and is popular in Christian art.

From Salon

“You saw what happened to some of the witnesses who were on our side, they were literally crucified by this man who looks like an angel but he’s really a devil,” Trump said.

From Salon

Related Words

• torment