as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
the coach chews out even the stars of the team if they fail to show up for practice
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Recent Examples of chew out
Instances when the coach chewed out the quarterback for being late on a throw.
—
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Judge is chewing out the parties.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
We're used to seeing movies with grizzled white guys playing leathery military men chewing out their platoons on the regular.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Feb. 2025
There’s also a story line of Harper being chewed out by Petra when Petra finds out how Harper actually got the information necessary to short Pierpoint, i.e., illegally.
—Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2024
In the following scene, which marks a turning point between Emily and Luke, Emily chews out Luke for pushing a deal that ends up costing their firm $25 million.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
In 2017, the Usos chewed out The New Day in a lyrical skirmish during Monday Night Raw.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2023
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Judge is chewing out the parties.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
We're used to seeing movies with grizzled white guys playing leathery military men chewing out their platoons on the regular.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Feb. 2025
There’s also a story line of Harper being chewed out by Petra when Petra finds out how Harper actually got the information necessary to short Pierpoint, i.e., illegally.
—Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2024
In the following scene, which marks a turning point between Emily and Luke, Emily chews out Luke for pushing a deal that ends up costing their firm $25 million.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
In 2017, the Usos chewed out The New Day in a lyrical skirmish during Monday Night Raw.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chew out
Verb
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Minutes later, Boone was spotted appearing to scold first-base coach Travis Chapman for Chisholm getting thrown out.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
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But instead of yelling or scolding, Hocker speaks to her daughter gently, and with compassion.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Two hours later, she was heard lecturing the children.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
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The single most on-the-nose sequence — though there are many — has an unrestrained Christopher Lloyd as a Holocaust survivor conveniently situated to lecture young Clay about the genocidal reality of his experience.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
15 July 2025
Verb
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If the committee finds the charges to be malicious, the accusers may also be reprimanded, suspended, removed from office or expelled.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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In October, Redstone publicly criticized McMahon's decision to reprimand CBS News morning anchor Tony Dokoupil over an interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Some residents blamed the city, which has owned these buildings for years, for allowing the structures to get run-down.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
9 Aug. 2025
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Cena even blamed Truth for making that kid in Brussels cry.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Rather than opt for a two-year extension of the current lease, which has been criticized by some residents since it was signed in 1997, the Bengals and the county agreed on a new 11-year lease.—
Erin Glynn,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
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The comedian and political commentator has long criticized late-night hosts like Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, the idea that someone not in the league can get called down from the stands to play in a game on a moment’s notice is one of hockey’s most unique traditions.—
Stephen Whyno,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
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Miles, the Manual student, noted how when she and her fellow bus riders were called down to the office to receive information on the return of transportation, almost all of them were Black.—
Grace Fridy,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chew out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chew%20out. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.
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