ˈkɹuːsɪfaɪ fɹəˈstɹeɪt ˈfɹʌstɹeɪt ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ ˈmɔɹtɪfaɪ ˈpɪləɹi ˈsævɪdʒ səbˈdu səbˈdjuː criticize harshly or violently The press savaged the new President The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage hold within limits and control subdue one's appetites mortify the flesh treat cruelly The children tormented the stuttering teacher kill by nailing onto a cross Jesus Christ was crucified