as in admonishing
to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault
my wife chided me for forgetting to offer our guests some refreshments
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Recent Examples of chiding
Trump has already tried to tip the scales in one significant baseball matter, publicly chiding Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball’s commissioner, in the process.
—
Evan Drellich, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The two have long been political archenemies going back to Trump’s first term, with Pritzker chiding Trump over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic while the president’s supporters have accused the Democratic governor of taking too strict of measures with COVID mitigations.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
This half of the set ends with Waters chiding the security at the venue, telling them to sit down and enjoy the show when the band returns.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
And now, with escalating talk of expanding military action to include regime change in Caracas, Americans are rightly concerned, with Republicans now chiding Trump for ignoring kitchen-table issues at home in favor of chasing overseas victories.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Despite Patrick chiding her for betraying the cause, Ellen doesn’t hesitate to send Edward a letter of warning.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Evan Drellich, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The two have long been political archenemies going back to Trump’s first term, with Pritzker chiding Trump over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic while the president’s supporters have accused the Democratic governor of taking too strict of measures with COVID mitigations.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
This half of the set ends with Waters chiding the security at the venue, telling them to sit down and enjoy the show when the band returns.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025
And now, with escalating talk of expanding military action to include regime change in Caracas, Americans are rightly concerned, with Republicans now chiding Trump for ignoring kitchen-table issues at home in favor of chasing overseas victories.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Despite Patrick chiding her for betraying the cause, Ellen doesn’t hesitate to send Edward a letter of warning.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chiding
Verb
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Parliament Vice President Nicolae Ștefănuță quickly intervened, admonishing the lawmaker for his language and warning of consequences.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
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The outlet reported that the mother of Jamieson’s child spoke out in court, admonishing him for the violent attack on their daughter last January.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Harnessing the camp of countless Drag Race acting challenges that came before her, Jujubee films a close-up reaction to a group of rowdy passengers reprimanding her, escalating the moment until her face is full-on twitching before a physical confrontation.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
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Sanders, by now a perennial candidate, perfected his craggy, scolding, mitten-waving style.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In multiple phone calls from jail, Nathan Gingles discussed the dependency court case, asking his friend in Texas to pass along information and criticizing Mary’s sister, who was fighting for custody against Schuler.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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Both companies have also gotten more vocal in public in recent weeks, with executives openly criticizing each other's businesses.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Deranque's death triggered a storm of recriminations, mostly blaming France Unbowed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Trump has singled out Moore for criticism, blaming him for a Potomac sewage spill, assailing his handing of Baltimore's bridge collapse and invoking a controversy over his military record.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chiding. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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