bawl out

verb

Definition of bawl outnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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
  1. scold
  2. lecture
  3. reprimand
  4. blame
  5. chew out
  6. criticize
  7. call down
Verb
  • Huang is known to be a difficult and exacting boss with a track record of publicly scolding staff.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In 2025, Foxx scolded a patron for flinging an object onstage during rapper GloRilla’s performance at a previous SKVLK Fest.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • And what's tricky about this is Direct Instruction, the version invented by Zig, is the opposite of lecturing.
    — Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This is how a senior diplomat can lecture British bureaucrats about North Korea’s victimhood one day and then flee North Korea with his entire family a few weeks later.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • Vasquez additionally accused one of her supervisors of throwing a clothing hanger at Vasquez’s feet while reprimanding her.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Or worse, teachers are reprimanded or face retaliation for being complainers, such as being written up or getting worse class assignments.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Surveys have repeatedly shown that Americans don't like the current clock changes, with lawmakers and physicians blaming the regular time shifts for drowsiness, inconveniences and even risks to health.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And party insiders blame Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran for creating a volatile Senate map that has left seats in red states like Nebraska and Kansas vulnerable.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 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
  • Piker is staunchly opposed to Israel and has been criticized for his comments about Jewish Americans.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
  • He has also been criticized by some in the community for past remarks regarding a Michigan synagogue attack and for appearances with controversial streamer Hasan Piker.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • This year, the irrigators began calling down water on July 1, boosting flows in the Colorado River.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
  • Armed with a name, Polyphemus is able to call down his father’s wrath on Odysseus.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026
Definition of call down

Browse Nearby Words

bawling out
bawl out
bawls
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Cite this Entry

“Bawl out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bawl%20out. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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