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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
The scolding unfolded during a GOP push to expand work requirements and make other deep cuts in the Medicaid program that provides some 70 million lower-income Americans with health care. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025 As the Lakers ran back down the floor, coach JJ Redick stood up and scolded his group. Jovan Buha, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Noun
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 See All Example Sentences for scold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scold
Verb
  • The justices also reprimanded federal authorities for failing to provide the detainees with more due process under the Alien Enemies Act.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
  • One of the central conflicts begins when the cute five-year-old daughter, I-Jing (Nina Ye), is reprimanded by her otherwise aloof grandfather for being left-handed.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • We’ve often been lectured by people all over the place about how the United States needs to continue to be a beacon for those who are oppressed abroad.
    Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
  • Geragos, 67, the criminal defense lawyer known for his roster of celebrity clients, was lectured in a Manhattan federal court this week after making statements about the case on a podcast.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Highlights of the evening included a live musical performance by Carla Renata, actress, film critic and singer.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
  • The awards highlight the best achievements in Arab filmmaking over the past year, with this year’s winners selected by a panel of 281 film critics from around the world.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Among those who criticized Levi's comments was Tony award-winning Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz, who slammed the actor for using Creel's death to promote an anti-vax agenda.
    Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025
  • The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.
    Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Cook County Judge Angela Petrone admonished Brand on Tuesday for delving into questions about Smith’s romantic history after being told not to do so the day before.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • During a private conversation on Tuesday, Subramanian admonished Geragos, warning him against making further similar comments.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • According to Reuters, many locals have blamed the sites for creating an unsustainable rental environment, reducing housing supply and making rent unaffordable for locals.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • The trauma of being constantly blamed, ignored, disrespected, or made to question your own worth is just as life-altering.
    Shayla Brown, Essence, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • There’s enough glorious weirdness threaded throughout this peanut-butter-meets-chocolate combination of Judd Apatow-type set-ups and the kind of comedy that results in Robinson berating himself with a bar of soap in his mouth to justify a lot.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025
  • The meeting never devolved into the outburst that the public saw in Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was berated by the U.S. president and his team for not being sufficiently deferential.
    Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Hopper was chastised for killing the local calendars so his bill was moved to the general calendar in the House.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025
  • He was chastised by members of Congress for refusing to take a stand on the matter.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scold. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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