Severely criticized, condemned, or harshly judged; or physically having the skin rubbed off or raw.
Past tense of 'excoriate,' from Latin 'excoriare.' Originally a physical term for removing skin, it became a metaphor for verbal attacks that are just as damaging.
Using 'excoriated' instead of 'criticized' suggests the attack went beyond mere words—it implies the target was emotionally flayed, making it one of English's most vivid verbs for harsh judgment.
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