1. to criticize severely or harshly; to censure or condemn
Usage: present participle of excoriate; common in formal and journalistic contexts
2. to damage or wear away the skin of; to abrade
Usage: medical or technical usage; less common than the critical sense

Examples

• The editorial was excoriating the government's handling of the crisis.
• Critics were excoriating the film for its poor dialogue and weak plot.
• The senator spent the debate excoriating her opponent's record.
• The doctor warned that the rough fabric was excoriating the patient's sensitive skin.
• Journalists have been excoriating the company for its environmental violations.
• The review was excoriating in its assessment of the restaurant's service.