FLAY Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

flay

verb

ˈflā

Definition of flay

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to peel

to remove the natural covering of flayed their kill right there in the forest, taking both the meat and the skin home

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of flay Smoking in a raffish suit like a film noir baddie with a shock of red hair ready to torch the world, Noble’s Richard employs a dusky, ironic voice to flaying effect. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026 The apostle was believed to have met his martyrdom by being flayed alive. — Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026 Most repellent of all is a slow-burn sequence in which the Jimmys, having stumbled on a small community of survivors, proceed to string them up in a barn and gradually, meticulously flay them alive. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026 This led to the investigation of Gein’s farm that unearthed his atrocities, including Worden’s body being decapitated, flayed, and hung in his shed. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flay

Verb

Mills was grabbed and scolded by defensive coordinator Aden Durde for his obvious no-no.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Dodge the question, scold the critics and kick the can down the road.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Browse Nearby Words

flaxen

flay

flayed

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“Flay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flay. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of flay

verb

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