Thesaurus
reads the riot act (to)
phrasepresent tense third-person singular of read the riot act (to)
Synonyms & Antonyms of reads the riot act (to)
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
- The officer read the riot act to her for speeding in a school zone.
Synonyms for reads the riot act (to)
Words Related to reads the riot act (to)
- abuses,
- assails,
- attacks,
- bad-mouths,
- blames,
- blasts,
- censures,
- condemns,
- criticizes,
- crucifies,
- denounces,
- disses
- [slang],
- excoriates,
- faults,
- harangues,
- knocks,
- laces (into),
- lashes,
- pans,
- reprehends,
- reviles,
- scourges,
- slams,
- vituperates
Phrases Synonymous with reads the riot act (to)
Near Antonyms for reads the riot act (to)
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on reads the riot act (to)
What made you want to look up reads the riot act (to)? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quiz - True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz - SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share reads the riot act (to)