Synonyms of flay

flay

verb

ˈflā 

1

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• lecture
• reprimand
• criticize
• blame
• rag
• berate
• chastise
• upbraid
• admonish
• attack
• jaw
• castigate
• rail (at or against)
• lambaste
• call down
• baste
• reproach
• keelhaul
• rebuke
• chew out
• ream (out)
• mock
• bawl out
• hammer
• lay into
• dress down
• rate
• fault
• rant (at)
• score
• crucify
• chide
• lash
• assail
• tongue-lash
• condemn
• take to task
• revile
• excoriate
• knock
• read the riot act (to)
• denounce
• slam
• reprove
• harangue
• pan
• disparage
• remonstrate (with)
• vituperate
• reprehend
• blast
• censure
• scourge
• ridicule
• abuse
• belittle
• bad-mouth
• scoff
• lace (into)
• scorn
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• praise
• extol
• laud

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peel
• bark
• skin
• husk
• hull
• shuck
• bare
• shell
• expose
• scale
• strip
• denude
• pare

Example Sentences

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