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
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Recent Examples of 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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Paul Krugman has referred to deficit hawks as ‘deficit scolds’, because the spend more time warning about the dangers of the deficit than fixing it.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
With Kapanen still scolding himself high in the zone, Luostarinen saw wide open defenseman Sean Jones breaking through the left circle.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Paul Krugman has referred to deficit hawks as ‘deficit scolds’, because the spend more time warning about the dangers of the deficit than fixing it.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scold
Verb
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Dan Baltic, a co-founder in New Ritual Press and one of tonight’s readers, remembers being reprimanded in 2019 in a writing workshop by a woman who was appalled by the alt-right protagonist of his debut novel, Nutcrankr.—
John McDermott,
Rolling Stone,
6 July 2025
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Though city reprimanded the protesters, the group dissolved shortly after.—
Calista Oetama
July 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Lincoln Mitchell, a political strategy and campaign specialist who lectures at Columbia University, to understand what Mamdani’s primary win might indicate about the direction of national politics.—
Lincoln Mitchell,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
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DuVernay presents the inhumanity of the situation without lecturing the audience or patronizing the subjects, instead providing an honest portrait of the fear, hope, and lost time that the Central Park Five experienced as the result of a profoundly broken justice system.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Despite the backlash, the GHF is encouraging other organizations — including its critics — to join its mission to bring aid to the people of Gaza while ensuring Hamas does not get its hands on it.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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On every episode of this podcast, host Lena Crown speaks with writers, artists, critics, and scholars across generations who have awakened something for one another.—
Awakeners
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Political dynamics: DeSantis criticized the Florida House for delaying condo relief legislation, while House Speaker Daniel Perez defended the decision to address the issue during the regular session, highlighting the collaborative effort between the House and Senate.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
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Reactions to the ruling were split along party lines, with Democrats praising it and Republicans criticizing it.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Following the jury exiting the court for a 15-minute break, Judge Arun Subramanian had to admonish Agnifilo for suggesting that the jury would speculate as to why federal prosecutors made certain charging decisions against Combs during his closing salvo.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
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Rather than admonish critics, Moore is urging them to join GHF’s efforts to get food to people on the ground in Gaza.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Chemical residue can be a primary cause of stiff towels and products like fabric softener can often be to blame.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
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Palestinians are collectively blamed for not saying or doing things many have been saying and doing.—
Micah Danney,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian president in front of the media.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Things reach an impasse when Bruce berates Jim for bad parenting, resulting in a physical fight.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
2 July 2025
Verb
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In her statement, Roberts chastised all the councilors for failing to act.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
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Trump touted the military in a speech reiterating their successes, including during the June 22 Iranian bombing mission, and chastising the last administration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scold. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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