chide

verb

ˈchīd 

chid ˈchid  or chided ˈchī-dəd  ; chid or chidden ˈchi-dᵊn  or chided; chiding ˈchī-diŋ 

intransitive verb

: to speak out in angry or displeased rebuke

is quick to chide against the mayor for his negligence

transitive verb

: to voice disapproval to : reproach in a usually mild and constructive manner : scold

She chided us for arriving late.

Synonyms

• admonish
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• reprove
• tick off

Choose the Right Synonym for chide

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely.

reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

Examples of chide in a Sentence

She chided us for arriving late.

“You really should have been here on time,” she chided.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stewart’s granddaughter is a huge fan of Eilish, and Stewart chided Cutler for failing to get her backstage access to one of the singer’s recent Madison Square Garden concerts, as Stewart had requested. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 13 May 2025

The incident follows an exchange at March’s Monte Carlo Masters, in which Italian doubles specialist Andrea Vavassori chided Ben Shelton for hitting him in the chest with a forehand during a doubles match. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 May 2025

Trump chides Putin for deadly attack on Ukraine amid push for peace deal Biden criticized Trump for other foreign-policy proposals, including reclaiming the Panama Canada, acquiring Greenland and annexing Canada as the 51st state. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 May 2025

Related article How the fear of soft-target raids is changing undocumented migrants’ behavior In his release order, Blackwell chided the government for changing charges against Hoque, apparently to keep him in custody. —Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cīdan to quarrel, chide, from cīd strife

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for chide

• bide
• bride
• cried
• died
• dried
• dyed
• eid
• eide
• eyed
• flied
• fried
• glide

Kids Definition

chide

verb

ˈchīd 

chid ˈchid  or chided ˈchīd-əd  ; chid or chidden ˈchid-ᵊn  or chided; chiding ˈchīd-iŋ 

: to express mild disapproval of