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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
  • 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
  • The agency’s new director issued an unusually harsh public rebuke.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebuke
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
  • Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolding
Noun
  • Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine included anti-ship missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and more than 200 drones, Ukraine's air force said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The platform largely automated the rest of the attack process as well.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Especially for him in the same interview to be lecturing my party on democracy and norms.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Before long, at the height of France’s own student protests, in 1968, Ascherson was lecturing at the Sorbonne on post-Stalinist revolutionary ideas and tactics.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lecturing
Noun
  • 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
  • The reprimand stemmed from a press release following Paden’s sentencing in which Zahnd identified members of the Dearborn community who had asked the judge to be lenient with Paden.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 18 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 remarks drew criticism from some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including the Israeli-American Council, which called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The loss aggravated criticism of quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ lack of protection for him.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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