FLAYS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

flays

verb

present tense third-person singular of flay

as in scolds

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping

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as in peels

to remove the natural covering of flayed their kill right there in the forest, taking both the meat and the skin home

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for flays

Verb

Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolds

Verb

The crust of the tangible world peels away, and hidden spiritual and moral realities become prominent and unmistakable.

— Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Across the conference table, Sosanya plays Beatrice like steel swaddled in cashmere, while Miles Jupp, as her colleague David, peels away his genteel snobbery to reveal an unexpectedly dorky underbelly.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of peels

Verb

Being a fly on the wall is precisely what Hard Knocks makes viewers feel like in the moment when Head Coach Mike Macdonald reprimands linebacker Derick Hall for getting too close to a quarterback.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
The emperor reprimands her for being late for the rainmaking ritual.

— Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026

Definition of reprimands

Verb

The district blames the decline on Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities that happened in early 2026.

— Ashley Grams, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
However, a Haitian source who is familiar with the issue, blames Green for the delays.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blames

Verb

Woodland mayor criticizes federal account Woodland Mayor Tom Stallard also challenged Homeland Security’s version of events in a statement released with the police department’s initial findings.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The ad linked to the suit criticizes Attorney General James Uthmeier specifically.

— Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizes

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flaying

flays

fleabag

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“Flays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flays. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flays

verb

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