Definition

Noun: 1. The act of pelting with stones: The action of throwing stones at someone or something. 2. A method of execution or punishment: A form of capital punishment or severe punishment where a group of people throw stones at a person until they die or are severely injured.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The ancient law prescribed stoning for certain crimes.
  • The violent mob began the stoning of the accused.
  • The act of stoning is condemned by international human rights organizations.

Advanced Usage

• "to be sentenced to stoning": To receive a judicial decree that one must be executed by being pelted with stones.
  • Under the theocratic regime, adultery could be punished by being sentenced to stoning.
• "a stoning to death": A phrase specifying the lethal outcome of the act.
  • The crowd witnessed a public stoning to death.

Variants and Related Words

• Stone (verb): To throw stones at someone or something.
  • The protesters threatened to stone the building.
• Stoned (adjective): Having been subjected to stoning; (slang, unrelated meaning) under the influence of drugs.
  • The prophet was stoned by an angry crowd. (historical/religious context)

Synonyms

• Lapidation: (Formal) The act of killing someone by stoning.
• Pelting: The act of repeatedly striking with thrown objects (can be with things other than stones).

Related Phrases and Context

• Death by stoning: A common phrase referring to the punishment's fatal result.
• Public stoning: Emphasizes that the act is carried out in front of a crowd.

Noun

1. the act of pelting with stones; punishment inflicted by throwing stones at the victim (even unto death)