What does crucifying mean?
'Crucifying' is the present participle of the verb 'crucify', meaning to put someone to death by fastening them to a cross — a punishment associated above all with the ancient Romans, whose empire used it extensively against slaves, pirates, and political rebels. In contemporary language, however, the word is far more often used figuratively: to 'crucify' someone is to subject them to relentless public criticism, mockery, or condemnation, as when reviewers are described as crucifying a poorly received film or the press is said to be crucifying a politician over a scandal. This figurative sense implies severity that borders on cruelty, often suggesting the treatment is disproportionate. The word comes from the Latin 'crucifigare', literally 'to fix to a cross', combining 'crux' (cross) with 'figere' (to fasten). Its enduring resonance owes much to the central place of the crucifixion of Jesus in Christian tradition, which keeps both the literal and figurative senses culturally charged.
Present participle of 'crucify': to execute by nailing or binding to a cross; figuratively, to criticize or torment someone mercilessly.
"The tabloids were crucifying the starlet for a single wardrobe malfunction."
Almost always appears in progressive constructions ('were crucifying', 'is crucifying'); the figurative sense predominates in modern usage.
Rarely used as a gerund noun denoting the act or process of crucifying.
"The historian devoted a chapter to the crucifying of prisoners along Roman roads."
As a noun, 'crucifixion' is strongly preferred over the gerund 'crucifying'.
The word for nailing someone to a cross now gets used when a film critic savages a movie — English has a habit of turning its most brutal punishments into everyday metaphors.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crucifying
'Crucifying' descends from the Latin verb 'crucifigare', formed from 'crux' ('cross') plus 'figere' ('to fasten'), which passed into Old French before entering Middle English. English forms such as 'crucify' and 'crucifixion' became established in the medieval period, largely through religious usage surrounding the death of Jesus. Cognates and relatives include 'crucifix', 'crucifixion', and 'excruciate', all built on the same Latin root 'crux'.
Related word forms
How crucifying is actually used
In modern usage the literal sense is almost exclusively historical or religious in reference, while the figurative sense — harsh public criticism or humiliation — dominates everyday speech and journalism. The figurative use carries strong connotations of unfairness or excess, implying that the target is being treated more harshly than they deserve. Because of its association with a violent method of execution, some contexts consider the figurative use flippant or insensitive.
Easily confused with crucifying
'Crucifying' is the verb form describing the act, while 'crucifixion' is the noun referring to the execution itself or the historical event.
'Excruciating' describes intense pain or suffering and derives from the same Latin root, but it is an adjective, not a form of 'crucify'.