RAGGING Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

ragging

verb

present participle of rag

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings several readers called in to rag the editor for his paper's repeated grammatical lapses

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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 ragging In November, Green spoke to PEOPLE at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville, and shared a similar story about his friends ragging on him for being crowned Sexiest Country Star Alive. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragging

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

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

Verb

During the debate, both candidates seemed prepared to focus on the lack of affordability — namely by blaming the other’s political party for it.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
The Variable To Watch This is, admittedly, a less exciting explanation than blaming the market.

— Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership.

— Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
After slogans criticizing the Sacramento State administration appeared in chalk on the facade of a 64-year-old campus building earlier this week, at least one student is now facing potential disciplinary action.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizing

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raggedy

ragging

ragging on

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“Ragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragging. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ragging

verb

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