Synonyms of rail

rail 1 of 2

noun

ˈrāl 

1

as in railing

a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports

the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail

Synonyms & Similar Words

• railing
• balustrade
• guardrail
• banister
• fender
• handrail
• taffrail

2

as in road

a roadway overlaid with parallel steel rails over which trains travel

an abandoned stretch of rail that was overgrown with brush

Synonyms & Similar Words

• road
• railroad
• railway
• elevated
• el
• elevated railroad
• monorail

rail

2 of 2

verb

as in to rant

Related Words

• rant
• fulminate
• revile
• damn
• execrate
• cuss
• imprecate
• swear
• curse
• blaspheme
• anathematize
• confound

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rail differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rail are berate, revile, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When could berate be used to replace rail?

In some situations, the words berate and rail are roughly equivalent. However, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is it sensible to use revile instead of rail?

While the synonyms revile and rail are close in meaning, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is scold a more appropriate choice than rail?

The words scold and rail can be used in similar contexts, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When would upbraid be a good substitute for rail?

The words upbraid and rail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

In what contexts can vituperate take the place of rail?

The synonyms vituperate and rail are sometimes interchangeable, but vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

How does the verb rail differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rail are berate, revile, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When could berate be used to replace rail?

In some situations, the words berate and rail are roughly equivalent. However, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is it sensible to use revile instead of rail?

While the synonyms revile and rail are close in meaning, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is scold a more appropriate choice than rail?

The words scold and rail can be used in similar contexts, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When would upbraid be a good substitute for rail?

The words upbraid and rail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

In what contexts can vituperate take the place of rail?

The synonyms vituperate and rail are sometimes interchangeable, but vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rail

Noun

The deal will preserve public access needed to improve transit on the east side of the property along the Regional Transportation District light rail tracks. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026

The program does not apply to other bus routes, light rail, Go Paratransit services or SacRT Flex, a neighborhood shuttle service. —Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Verb

Trump has regularly railed against comedians who regularly skewer politicians, including those who are on late-night TV or part of Saturday Night Live. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Mar. 2026

The obvious reaction is to rail against the guns, and rightly so. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

Phrases Containing rail

• rail (at or against)