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scold

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noun

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

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 scold
Verb
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 Bozell, who plays a media scold on television, has written a book that despite its subtitle is neither dogmatic nor even thematic. Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 6 Jan. 2022
Noun
Rachel Dratch scolded Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz for laughing while rehearsing the original Debbie Downer sketch on Saturday Night Live. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025 There, she is repeatedly scolded, first by a testy parking attendant (Mark Stolzenberg), and then by a doctor (Bronstein), who warns Linda of consequences if her daughter doesn’t soon reach her target weight of fifty pounds. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scold
Verb
  • To this end, Cucinelli urged the independent players to tap into the online commerce without betraying their identity of exclusivity and desirability, subtly reprimanding those who embraced the gray market outright.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Turnage was not disciplined or reprimanded in connection with the investigation, according to the lawsuit.
    Miami Herald, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Your relentless faultfinder—everybody has one—is quick to judge, minimize your accomplishments or demote you to an underdog.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2021
Verb
  • Augusta was a devout Christian who often lectured the Bible to her sons and blamed alcohol and women for the evils of the world, per the outlet.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Clarke and his business partner sold photographs and films, wrote and lectured about their adventures, and began treasure hunting.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • After deep staff reductions in the spring, critics argued, in court and elsewhere, that the Education Department was not capable of carrying out its statutory functions with such a small staff.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • But at least, according to Rotten Tomatoes, critics have largely awarded the film their glowing endorsements.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The prince was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein's victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Andrew was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein’s victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Maybe that’s why, compared with some other kinds of nitpickers, pop critics can seem especially extraneous.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Consequently, the conference is imposing a $5,000 fine and admonishes all institutions to use the ‘out’ designation only if there are no circumstances under which a student-athlete could participate in a game.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • He was admonished in an awkward one-on-one interview by the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano for playing too high up the pitch against the man-marking Italians rather than dropping deep.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But some Republicans blamed Newsom for the freeway closure, calling it an over-reaction.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Now, blaming the shutdown, the Education Department is trying to lay off an additional 465 people, cutting deeply into multiple offices.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scold. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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