variants
or lambast
1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
the director lambasted them mercilessly for forgetting their lines during the final dress rehearsal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
movie critics across the country lambasted the film for its contrived plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
like all westerns, this movie contains the requisite scene of saloon patrons lambasting each other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lambaste
In 2011, Acuña was one of many authors who saw their works lambasted by then-Arizona Atty.
—
Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Pictures removed Azmoun later removed the pictures but was still lambasted on state TV on Thursday with soccer pundit Mohammad Misaghi saying the striker’s actions had been an act of disloyalty.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Owner Woody Johnson even lambasted Fields for his lack of accuracy.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
As well as lambasting Shell, this often self-aggrandizing filing out in the low-tech Santa Monica Courthouse has innocuous cameos by the likes of Ari Emanuel and Jay Penske, among others.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lambaste
Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Pictures removed Azmoun later removed the pictures but was still lambasted on state TV on Thursday with soccer pundit Mohammad Misaghi saying the striker’s actions had been an act of disloyalty.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Owner Woody Johnson even lambasted Fields for his lack of accuracy.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
As well as lambasting Shell, this often self-aggrandizing filing out in the low-tech Santa Monica Courthouse has innocuous cameos by the likes of Ari Emanuel and Jay Penske, among others.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lambaste
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lambaste
Verb
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When the second player protested the contact, Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
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What starts as a playful, casual parlor game suddenly turns incredibly dark, not just because of Emma’s confession but by Rachel’s sudden turn from loyal friend to judgmental scold.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The woman told officers that at some point, Morehead came back and brutally attacked her, including punching her in the face and stomach and dragging her back inside.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Two minutes later, Towns attacked Onyeka Okongwu off the dribble for a dunk.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His fall was celebrated on Sunday by both Democrats and Republicans, some of whom criticized their own administration for such overt support for the Hungarian leader.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Leo's recent public comments on social media criticizing the war, have even led some to speculate whether the president actually threatened him.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The crash happened Monday along Highway 65 in Franklin County, where officials say the vehicle left the roadway, crossed into the opposite lane and slammed into a tree line before catching fire.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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When Daisy slams the bedroom door in frustration, June can’t help but smile at the cliched rebellion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Children who give short answers, avoid eye contact, or seem overly eager to please may be hiding their true feelings.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
11 Apr. 2026
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New York packs tons of it, and Mike Brown had no intention of hiding his hand against a potential playoff opponent.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ratmoko is also a photographer, writer, and scholar who has lectured on intercultural communication schools including Yale University and the University of Zurich.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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During orientation, new hires are lectured that Kino wants to protect users from harmful images; meanwhile, their boss, Josh (Jermaine Fowler), would cut out his own spleen on camera to keep people’s eyeballs on the app.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And Cora is so good at threading needles on these issues, as in communicating his wishes without insulting this or that player.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Saariaho never once loses control of momentum and never insults her own tastefulness.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lambaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lambaste. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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