crucify

verb

cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce crucify (audio)
crucified; crucifying

transitive verb

1
: to put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross
2
: to destroy the power of : mortify
crucify the flesh
3
a
: to treat cruelly : torment
b
: pillory sense 2
crucified in the press
crucifier noun

Examples of crucify in a Sentence

They crucified her in the newspapers for having an affair.
Recent Examples on the Web The two parties unite behind a surveillance state in which the cherished Fourth Amendment right to be left alone is crucified on a national security cross. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 Vandross’ weight struggles were crucified in the press throughout his career, and the documentary doesn’t shy away from the impact and inappropriateness of the media’s obsession with the singer’s size. Kui Mwai, Essence, 29 Jan. 2024 Christianity’s humble beginnings trace to a moment when Jesus of Nazareth was crucified in Jerusalem, then part of the Roman Empire, about 33 A.D. Greg Garrison | , al, 10 Apr. 2023 The place that God promised Abraham, where Jesus was crucified and Muhammad ascended to heaven — all of these moments are parts of the top bestselling books on this planet. Amir Sommer, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Pilate eventually relents to pressures from the crowd and has Jesus crucified. Valerie Wu, Variety, 8 Jan. 2024 The oil was declared holy in a special ceremony March 3 at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem — a sacred church standing on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified. Max Taylor, NBC News, 4 May 2023 One where Christians stop confusing the power to crucify with the power of the Crucified One. TIME, 5 Jan. 2024 As if that is in some kind of way equitable to betraying our Lord and delivering him up to be crucified. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crucify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crucifien, from Anglo-French crucifier, from Late Latin crucifigere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crucify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near crucify

Cite this Entry

“Crucify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucify. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

crucify

verb
cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce crucify (audio)
crucified; crucifying
1
: to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross
2
: to treat cruelly : torture, persecute
were crucified in the newspapers
crucifier noun
Etymology

Middle English crucifien "to crucify," from early French crucifier (same meaning), from Latin crucifigere "to crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" and figere "to fasten, fix" — related to cross, crucifix, excruciating, fix

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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