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

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

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

Verb

Looming over it all is billionaire Matthew Prince, a Park City resident who had expressed frustrations with how Vail Resorts has operated its Park City property, blaming Vail CEO Rob Katz for the company’s financial troubles.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
There have been major protests in Spain in response to the migrant arrivals, with critics blaming the Sánchez government for its handling of the crisis, and his political opponents accusing him of pandering to Morocco.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

As public support for Clancy grew by the day, online sleuths went to work challenging the prosecution’s narrative, closely scrutinizing witnesses and criticizing authorities for not investigating certain details more aggressively.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026
Some fans viewed the collaboration cynically, criticizing it as a way for Beyoncé to capitalize on Selena’s legacy, or to court more Latino fans.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ragging

verb

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