crucify

Verb

• criticize harshly or violently
  • The press savaged the new President
    
  • The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage
    

• hold within limits and control
  • subdue one's appetites
    
  • mortify the flesh
    

• treat cruelly
  • The children tormented the stuttering teacher
    

• kill by nailing onto a cross
  • Jesus Christ was crucified
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  savage , blast , pillory , mortify , subdue , torment , rag , bedevil , dun , frustrate