Entry Word: lambaste

Function: verb

Meaning:

or lambast

1 to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings <the director lambasted them for forgetting their lines during the final dress rehearsal> — see scold
2 to criticize harshly and usually publicly <critics across the country lambasted the new film for its uncalled-for violence> — see attack 2
3 to strike repeatedly <stern schoolmasters who lambasted the boys for the smallest violation of the rules> — see beat 1