crucify in WordNet English dictionary

1. treat cruelly
   "The children tormented the stuttering teacher"
   torment  rag  bedevil  crucify  dun  frustrate 
   
2. criticize harshly or violently
   "The press savaged the new President"; "The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage"
   savage  blast  pillory  crucify 
   
3. hold within limits and control
   "subdue one's appetites"; "mortify the flesh"
   mortify  subdue  crucify 
   
4. kill by nailing onto a cross
   "Jesus Christ was crucified"
   crucify