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

Our genes have not profoundly changed in a century, but the world we live in has made it easier to pile on the pounds with the rise of cheap and calorie-dense foods, ballooning portion sizes and towns and cities that make it easier to drive than walk or cycle.

From BBC

Wales continued to pile on the pressure with Kayleigh Powell pulling the strings at 10 in place of the injured Lleucu George.

From BBC

Gus Atkinson had Saim Ayub caught down the leg side in the fourth over, only for opener Shafique and captain Masood to pile on 253 for the second wicket.

From BBC

"I truly thought he was dead. I saw the Secret Service pile on top of him like he was the quarterback at a football game."

From BBC

“Today’s press conference is just more political theater — signing bills that pile on mandates and drive up costs for Californians,” said Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Assn.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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