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
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Highlights of the evening included a live musical performance by Carla Renata, actress, film critic and singer.—
Carin Schoppmeyer,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
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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
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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
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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
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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
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During a private conversation on Tuesday, Subramanian admonished Geragos, warning him against making further similar comments.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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He was chastised by members of Congress for refusing to take a stand on the matter.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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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