to stone
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to stone
To kill someone by throwing stones at them until they die. This was a historical form of execution or lynch justice.
In der Antike war es in manchen Kulturen eine Strafe, für bestimmte Vergehen gesteinigt zu werden.
In ancient times, in some cultures it was a punishment to be stoned for certain offenses.
to stone
To publicly attack someone in a figurative sense with harsh, devastating criticism.
Nach seiner umstrittenen Aussage sollte man den Autor nicht gleich in der Presse steinigen.
After his controversial statement, people shouldn't immediately stone the author in the press.
The verb 'steinigen' (to stone) is derived from the noun 'der Stein' (stone). It literally describes the act of throwing stones at someone.
Die wütende Menge begann, Steine auf den Verurteilten zu werfen.
The angry crowd began throwing stones at the condemned man.
The literal meaning (to kill someone with stones) is used almost only in historical or religious contexts. In modern usage, the figurative meaning (to harshly criticize someone publicly) is almost always meant.
In dem historischen Roman wird eine Frau gesteinigt.
In the historical novel, a woman is stoned.
The verb 'steinigen' (to stone) is always used with an accusative object. You ask: Whom or what is being stoned?
Die Kritiker steinigten den Regisseur für seinen neuen Film.
The critics stoned the director for his new film.
In the figurative meaning, 'steinigen' (to stone) is often connected with the place where the criticism appears. Typical formulations are 'jemanden öffentlich steinigen' (to stone someone publicly) or 'jemanden in der Presse steinigen' (to stone someone in the press).
Nach dem Skandal wurde der Politiker in den sozialen Medien regelrecht gesteinigt.
After the scandal, the politician was practically stoned on social media.
