KEELHAULED Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

keelhauled

verb

past tense of keelhaul

as in scolded

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings there's no need to keelhaul him—it was an honest mistake, and a small one at that

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for keelhauled

Verb

In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
For over a year, the White House has scolded and threatened the Smithsonian.

— Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolded

Verb

But the top management set early resumption as a key business target and harshly reprimanded a team working on a resumption permit because of the prolonged screening, which might have pressured them into wrongdoing, the report said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimanded

Verb

Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of lectured

Verb

China said its vessel had been conducting lawful operations near Sabina Shoal and blamed the Philippine side for the collision.

— Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Republicans have blamed Cooper for Zarutska’s death, arguing a COVID-era prison settlement led to the early release of the suspect in the case, DeCarlos Brown, Jr.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of blamed

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keelhauled

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“Keelhauled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keelhauled. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of keelhauled

verb

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