pillory meaning and definition

PILLORY noun

Definition of pillory (noun)

1. a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn

PILLORY verb

Definition of pillory (verb)

1. expose to ridicule or public scorn
   • synonyms: gibbet
2. punish by putting in a pillory
3. criticize harshly or violently
   • "The press savaged the new President"; "The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage"
   • synonyms: blast, crucify, savage