BAWL OUT Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

bawl out

verb

Definition of bawl out

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings got bawled out by the boss for missing another important deadline

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bawl out Trippier and Burn are organisers and not afraid to bawl out their team-mates. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026 Women stopped to bawl out the police, who accepted this dressing-down with quiet embarrassment. — National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bawl out

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Especially for him in the same interview to be lecturing my party on democracy and norms.

— NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Coach Hudson defends Ricky to Gerry’s face, but privately lectures his daughter about the optics of their close relationship as a female football coach and tells her to put some space between her and Chad (and unknowingly, Russ).

— Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lecture

Verb

But the top management set early resumption as a key business target and harshly reprimanded a team working on a resumption permit because of the prolonged screening, which might have pressured them into wrongdoing, the report said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Instead of reprimanding his pet, Linnetz seems to recognize the moment as a potentially good shot.

— Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Some readers have pointed out how quickly blame gets assigned to Sandy even about aspects of the show, like casting, that are out of her control.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
The pilots of an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 were blamed for crashing into a seawall in 2013, sending their jet cartwheeling down a runway in San Francisco, killing three people and injuring 187 others.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of blame

Verb

Kittens chew to relieve teething discomfort, while adult cats may chew out of boredom, stress or habit.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
It was widely reported that team president Masai Ujiri went into Casey’s office after Game 3 to chew out the coach for not preparing his team better to defend James’ memorable game-winner over OG Anunoby, who is now a Knick.

— Eric Koreen, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Definition of chew out

Verb

Festival in London, which featured performances from Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean (though their set was abruptly cut short due to a noise ordinance, which Chappelle criticized).

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
The Herald previously reported that employees and former employees had criticized 21 Air for its unsafe working conditions.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Browse Nearby Words

bawling out

bawl out

bawls

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“Bawl out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl%20out. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bawl out

verb

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