Synonyms of scold

scold 1 of 2

verb

ˈskōld 

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reprimand
• lecture
• criticize
• blame
• admonish
• berate
• chastise
• upbraid
• fault
• rag
• rebuke
• attack
• rail (at or against)
• castigate
• call down
• mock
• lambaste
• flay
• reproach
• bawl out
• chide
• chew out
• jaw
• ream (out)
• dress down
• rate
• lay into
• rant (at)
• keelhaul
• baste
• condemn
• read the riot act (to)
• hammer
• score
• take to task
• revile
• slam
• tongue-lash
• reprove
• denounce
• lash
• excoriate
• disparage
• harangue
• knock
• crucify
• assail
• remonstrate (with)
• belittle
• censure
• abuse
• blast
• ridicule
• reprehend
• vituperate
• bad-mouth
• scoff
• pan
• scourge
• scorn
• lace (into)
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• praise
• extol
• laud

scold

2 of 2

noun

as in faultfinder

Related Words

• faultfinder
• critic
• nitpicker
• censurer
• railer
• carper
• fishwife
• gorgon
• detractor
• castigator
• caviler
• termagant
• harridan
• shrew
• virago
• dragon lady
• vixen
• harpy
• battle-ax
• derider
• quibbler
• fury
• belittler
• pettifogger

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scold differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scold are berate, rail, revile, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When would berate be a good substitute for scold?

The meanings of berate and scold largely overlap; however, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When can rail be used instead of scold?

The words rail and scold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When is revile a more appropriate choice than scold?

The synonyms revile and scold are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When could upbraid be used to replace scold?

While the synonyms upbraid and scold are close in meaning, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

Where would vituperate be a reasonable alternative to scold?

While in some cases nearly identical to scold, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scold

Verb

After once rising from her seat to scold a man recording the broadcast on his phone to shushing in-studio viewers during an interview with Zohran Mamdani, Whoopi Goldberg just wrote another chapter in her comical relationship with The View's studio audience. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026

But more recently, groups of citizens have grown tired of scolding and have begun reaching for the birch rod. —Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Noun

His showdowns with the head of the local diocese, played as a puckish scold by Malcolm McDowell, are some of the best in the film. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2022

When Roger Goodell suspended Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least one full season for betting on NFL games, the commissioner was very careful with the wording of his official scold. —Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2022