Sentences for Pillory: Learn Pillory with Examples

The word “pillory” has both a literal and figurative meaning. Historically, it refers to a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, used to publicly shame criminals. Figuratively, it means to publicly criticize or ridicule someone. This article provides structured sentences for ‘pillory’ at different difficulty levels to help you understand and use the word effectively.

Basic Level Sentences for Pillory

1. In old times, criminals were placed in the pillory for public humiliation. (Noun)

• Describes the historical use of the pillory.

2. People threw rotten food at those who were locked in the pillory. (Noun)

• Shows how the pillory was used for public punishment.

3. The old village square still has a pillory as a historical monument. (Noun)

• Mentions the pillory as a preserved historical artifact.

4. The thief was sentenced to a day in the pillory. (Noun)

• Shows how criminals were punished using the pillory.

5. The villagers gathered around to mock those in the pillory. (Noun)

• Illustrates how public humiliation was part of the punishment.

6. The museum displayed an ancient wooden pillory. (Noun)

• Describes a pillory in a historical setting.

7. Many people feared being placed in the pillory for minor crimes. (Noun)

• Shows the fear associated with the pillory punishment.

8. He was unfairly pilloried by the media after the scandal. (Verb)

• Uses ‘pillory’ figuratively to mean public criticism.

9. The author was pilloried for his controversial statements. (Verb)

• Shows how ‘pillory’ is used to describe public condemnation.

10. Social media often pillories celebrities for their mistakes. (Verb)

• Illustrates the modern figurative use of ‘pillory.’

Intermediate Level Sentences for Pillory

11. During medieval times, the pillory was a common form of public punishment. (Noun)

• Provides historical context for the pillory.

12. Once locked in the pillory, criminals were at the mercy of the crowd. (Noun)

• Describes the vulnerability of those in the pillory.

13. The novel describes how an innocent man was wrongly placed in the pillory. (Noun)

• Shows injustice associated with the pillory.

14. The king abolished the use of the pillory as a punishment. (Noun)

• Indicates a historical shift away from public shaming.

15. After his controversial speech, he was pilloried by journalists. (Verb)

• Uses ‘pillory’ to describe harsh media criticism.

16. In modern society, public figures are often pilloried for minor mistakes. (Verb)

• Demonstrates how ‘pillory’ applies in today’s culture.

17. The internet allows people to pillory others anonymously. (Verb)

• Shows how online platforms can be used for public shaming.

18. The politician was pilloried for failing to keep his campaign promises. (Verb)

• Demonstrates political criticism using ‘pillory.’

19. Despite being pilloried in the media, she remained strong. (Verb)

• Shows resilience in the face of public criticism.

20. Many artists are pilloried before their work is truly appreciated. (Verb)

• Indicates how creative individuals can be harshly judged.

Advanced Level Sentences for Pillory

21. The public square featured a well-preserved pillory, a chilling reminder of past punishments. (Noun)

• Describes a historical artifact that evokes past justice systems.

22. The journalist was unfairly pilloried for reporting inconvenient truths. (Verb)

• Shows how media figures can be harshly criticized for their work.

23. His controversial book was pilloried by critics, yet it became a bestseller. (Verb)

• Highlights how initial criticism does not always determine success.

24. Despite being pilloried in the press, the scientist stood by his groundbreaking research. (Verb)

• Shows resilience in the face of public ridicule.

25. Social media can often function as a virtual pillory, exposing individuals to mass condemnation. (Noun)

• Compares traditional public shaming to modern digital culture.

26. Authors who challenge societal norms are frequently pilloried before being recognized as visionaries. (Verb)

• Illustrates how innovators often face initial rejection.

27. The politician’s opponents pilloried him for his past mistakes, ignoring his recent reforms. (Verb)

• Demonstrates selective criticism in politics.

28. Once seen as a genius, he was later pilloried for unethical scientific practices. (Verb)

• Highlights how public perception can shift dramatically.

29. The company was pilloried for exploiting workers, leading to a global boycott. (Verb)

• Shows how corporate behavior can lead to widespread condemnation.

30. Her radical views led her to be pilloried by the establishment, though history later vindicated her. (Verb)

• Demonstrates how historical perspective can change judgments.

Expert Level Sentences for Pillory

31. The legal system once relied on the pillory to inflict not only punishment but also communal deterrence. (Noun)

• Explains the broader purpose of public shaming in historical justice.

32. The philosopher argued that modern cancel culture is a digital pillory, where reputations are destroyed instantly. (Noun)

• Draws a comparison between historical and modern methods of public condemnation.

33. Despite being pilloried in his lifetime, the artist’s work is now considered a masterpiece of its era. (Verb)

• Highlights how perception of genius can change over time.

34. The memoir recounts how the author was pilloried by society for defying traditional norms. (Verb)

• Shows how breaking conventions often leads to harsh criticism.

35. The historian noted that the pillory was as much about spectacle as it was about justice. (Noun)

• Examines the dual role of the pillory in past societies.

36. Critics pilloried the author’s unorthodox theories, only for them to be later validated by scientific discoveries. (Verb)

• Illustrates the cycle of initial rejection and eventual recognition.

37. Some argue that public trials serve as a modern pillory, where defendants are judged before due process. (Noun)

• Explores contemporary parallels to historical public shaming.

38. The CEO was pilloried in financial circles for his reckless decisions that led to the company’s downfall. (Verb)

• Demonstrates how executive accountability is scrutinized.

39. Despite being pilloried by his contemporaries, the scientist’s theories revolutionized physics. (Verb)

• Shows how public reception can be different from long-term impact.

40. The documentary explored how historical figures were pilloried in their time but later celebrated as visionaries. (Verb)

• Explores the evolution of public perception.

Mastering Pillory

Now that you have explored various sentence examples for ‘pillory,’ you can confidently use the word in different contexts, from historical references to modern figurative speech. Understanding ‘pillory’ in its multiple dimensions ensures you use it appropriately and effectively. Keep practicing by incorporating ‘pillory’ into your writing and speech!