pillory

[ pil-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural pil·lo·ries.

1. a wooden framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used to expose an offender to public derision.

verb (used with object)

, pil·lo·ried, pil·lo·ry·ing.

1. to set in the pillory.
2. to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse:

   The candidate mercilessly pilloried his opponent.

pillory

/ ˈpɪlərɪ /

noun

1. a wooden framework into which offenders were formerly locked by the neck and wrists and exposed to public abuse and ridicule
2. exposure to public scorn or abuse

verb

1. to expose to public scorn or ridicule
2. to punish by putting in a pillory

Other Words From

• un·pillo·ried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillory¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English pyllory, from Old French pilori, perhaps from Medieval Latin pīlōrium, equivalent to Latin pīl(a) “pillar” ( pile ¹ ) + -ōrium noun suffix ( -ory ² ), though Romance variants such as Provençal espillori suggest a less transparent source

Word History and Origins

Origin of pillory¹

C13: from Anglo-Latin pillorium, from Old French pilori, of uncertain origin; related to Provençal espillori

Example Sentences

And understand, those above words were written less than 48 hours after his most pilloried move of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, his Indian audience pillories him for the same reasons, wishing he conformed more to their image of Indian identity.

From BBC

Vance, in turn, has pilloried the Minnesota governor for purportedly not doing enough to quell rioting in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.

From Los Angeles Times

Most of us do not want to see an ex-president pilloried or put in the stockade, literally or metaphorically.

From Salon

One night earlier, the Phillies had pilloried him, scoring four runs in five innings, benefiting from Kershaw’s recurring inability to throw strikes.

From Los Angeles Times