chewing out 1 of 2

noun

as in rebuke

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chewing out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chew out
as in scolding
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 chewing out
Verb
The episode ends with Kyle’s mom chewing out Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his actions in the ongoing war. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chewing out
  1. rebuke
  2. scolding
  3. attack
  4. lecturing
  5. reprimand
  6. calling down
  7. criticism
  8. reprimanding
Noun
  • This, the perfectly decent people of Kettleborough reasoned, was a natural and godly rebuke for Susan and Cuthbert’s sin.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Azaria’s 2017 manslaughter conviction, for a killing caught on cellphone video, was a rare rebuke of a soldier’s battlefield conduct.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebuke
Verb
  • Eventually, all charges were dropped days before trial, with Perry scolding prosecutors for violating the inherent trust placed in the office.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of scolding
Noun
  • Avila said the attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • His comments came days after the army chiefs of Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh to discuss responses to Houthi attacks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • The bald guy lecturing me on how to get the money looked real enough, but the question of his true being kept rattling around my increasingly paranoid mind.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Especially for him in the same interview to be lecturing my party on democracy and norms.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of lecturing
Noun
  • While Young never received a formal reprimand, he was made aware of the Congress’s frustration and others in the corps were advised not to follow his lead, per NASA.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Fisher’s attorney also requested an injunction to temporarily prevent Nowlin from sending the reprimand to the Texas Board of Law Examiners, the entity that would decide if Fisher became an attorney in the state.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of reprimand
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
Definition of calling down
Noun
  • The move has already drawn criticism from at least one GOP senator.
    — Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Pezeshkian faces criticism from hard-liners who oppose any diplomacy.
    — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticism
Verb
  • Instead of reprimanding his pet, Linnetz seems to recognize the moment as a potentially good shot.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimanding

Browse Nearby Words

chewing on
chewing out
chewing over
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chewing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chewing%20out. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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