verb
crucify
KROO-sih-feye
Crucify (verb) means to execute someone by nailing or binding them to a cross. Example: “Roman authorities crucified thousands of rebels along the road.”
verb
1
To execute someone by nailing or binding them to a cross.
"Roman authorities crucified thousands of rebels along the road."
2
To criticise or punish someone harshly, especially as a scapegoat.
"After his public gaffe, he was crucified in the media."
"The tabloids crucified the minister over the leaked emails."
How to use crucify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo execute on a cross, or (informally) to attack someone very harshly in public.
Common pairings
crucified in the press
crucify someone for a mistake
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- crucifies
- Past tense
- crucified
Etymology
From Old French crucefier, from Latin crucifigo, "to fix to a cross."
Related words
Rhymes for crucify
See all rhymes for crucify →Frequently asked questions
What does “crucify” mean?
The word “crucify” means to execute someone by nailing or binding them to a cross. In plain terms, to execute on a cross, or (informally) to attack someone very harshly in public.
How do you pronounce “crucify”?
“Crucify” is pronounced KROO-sih-feye (/ˈkɹuːsɪfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “crucify” in a sentence?
Here is “crucify” used in a sentence: “Roman authorities crucified thousands of rebels along the road.”
What part of speech is “crucify”?
“Crucify” is a verb.
Where does the word “crucify” come from?
The word “crucify” comes from Latin. From Old French crucefier, from Latin crucifigo, "to fix to a cross.".
How many meanings does “crucify” have?
“Crucify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to execute someone by nailing or binding them to a cross.
