crucify

verb

cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce crucify (audio)
crucified; crucifying

transitive verb

1
: to put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross
2
: to destroy the power of : mortify
crucify the flesh
3
a
: to treat cruelly : torment
b
: pillory sense 2
crucified in the press
crucifier noun

Examples of crucify in a Sentence

They crucified her in the newspapers for having an affair.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 Thanks to Christ – crucified and risen from the dead – hope does not disappoint! Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025 Trump told the brief story behind the biblical holiday centered on Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian tradition, was crucified on a cross and then rose from the dead. Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025 Pilate caves and decides to crucify Jesus, whom Christians believe rose from the dead three days later. Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crucify

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crucifien, from Anglo-French crucifier, from Late Latin crucifigere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crucify was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Crucify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucify. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

crucify

verb
cru·​ci·​fy ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce crucify (audio)
crucified; crucifying
1
: to put to death by nailing or binding the hands and feet to a cross
2
: to treat cruelly : torture, persecute
were crucified in the newspapers
crucifier noun
Etymology

Middle English crucifien "to crucify," from early French crucifier (same meaning), from Latin crucifigere "to crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" and figere "to fasten, fix" — related to cross, crucifix, excruciating, fix

More from Merriam-Webster on crucify

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