ENGLISH
REFERENCE

crucified

adj.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈkɹusəˌfaɪd// UK //kɹˈuːsɪfˌaɪd// cru·ci·fied

adj. feeling extremely upset, embarrassed, or treated very unfairly by others. It can also describe someone who was killed by being tied or nailed to a cross in ancient times.

adj. subjected to severe criticism, public humiliation, or intense suffering; also refers to the historical execution method of being fastened to a cross. Often used as a participial adjective to describe a state of emotional devastation.


SIMPLE

The politician felt crucified by the harsh media reports.

CONTEXTUAL

After the team lost the championship due to his mistake, the young goalkeeper felt absolutely crucified by the local fans.

COMPLEX

The director felt crucified by the critics' unanimous rejection of his passion project, which he had spent nearly a decade developing under intense personal and financial pressure.

Synonyms
Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'feel', 'be', or 'look' when used in the figurative sense of being unfairly judged.

© 2026 English Reference