pillory

• Historische hölzerne Vorrichtung zur öffentlichen Bestrafung, bestehend aus einem Pfahl mit Löchern, in denen Handgelenke und Hals des Verurteilten fixiert wurden, um ihn dem Spott der Öffentlichkeit auszusetzen.

A historical wooden device used for public punishment, consisting of a post with holes for securing the offender's wrists and neck, exposing them to public ridicule.

1. Punishment deviceC1formal

   A wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, used in the past to publicly humiliate and punish offenders.

   Pranger

   • The thief was locked in the pillory in the town square.
   • Pillories were common in medieval Europe for minor crimes.
   • Crowds would gather to mock those placed in the pillory.

• Jemanden öffentlich kritisieren oder lächerlich machen; historisch auch: jemanden zur öffentlichen Demütigung in einen hölzernen Rahmen (Pranger) stellen.

A verb meaning to publicly criticize or ridicule someone, or historically, to punish someone by placing them in a wooden frame (a pillory) as a form of public humiliation.

1. Expose to ridicule or public scornC1formal

   To publicly criticize, mock, or make fun of someone or something, often in a harsh or humiliating way.

   An den Pranger stellen

   • The journalist was pilloried for his controversial article.
   • The politician was pilloried in the press for his scandalous behavior.
   • The company was pilloried for its unethical business practices.

   Synonymecaricaturederidelampoonmockridiculescorntaunt

   Antonymeacclaimapplaudcommendglorifyhonorlaudpraise

2. Punish by putting in a pilloryC2formalbritish

   To punish someone by placing them in a wooden frame (a pillory) as a form of public humiliation, historically used for minor crimes.

   An den Pranger stellen

   • In medieval times, thieves were often pilloried in the town square.
   • The criminal was pilloried for his dishonest actions.
   • The punishment of being pilloried was meant to shame the offender.

3. Criticize harshly or violentlyC1formal

   To attack or condemn someone or something with severe criticism or verbal abuse.

   Scharf kritisieren

   • The film was pilloried by critics for its poor acting and plot.
   • The author was pilloried for his controversial views on social issues.
   • The proposal was pilloried by the opposition party during the debate.

   Synonymeassailattackberatecastigatecondemndenounceexcoriatelambasterevilevilify

   Antonymeapplaudapprovecommendcomplimentlaudpraise