scold

scold

verb

Definition of SCOLD

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings <he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen>

Synonyms baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, score, tongue-lash, upbraid

Related Words admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove; abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate; belittle, disparage, mock, put down; ridicule, scoff, scorn

Phrases lay into, read the riot act (to), take to task

Near Antonyms approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; extol (also extoll), laud, praise