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 of chide

• admonish
• scold
• reprimand
• criticize
• blame

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

The meeting opened with a public comment period where several residents and activists chided Snelling and the Police Department and accused them of aiding and defending federal immigration authorities during the monthslong enforcement effort. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

That’s what economists said about tariffs, whose effects on prices were always just about to hit, the conservative think tanker Oren Cass chided in an X thread Monday as Liberation Day’s anniversary approaches. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026

My son chided me for not buying a lottery ticket on the way home. —Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026

Climate activists chided Fink for being hypocritical on BlackRock’s ESG stance, saying the rhetoric was inconsistent with its fossil-fuel holdings. —Bydebbie Carlson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026

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