as in reprimands
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 scolds
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scolds
Verb
-
Kenji lectures on the difference between Japanese static views of ruins versus Western dynamic interpretations and carries the memory of past earthquakes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Yeanoplos lectures throughout the United States on the topics of valuation, applied finance and financial analysis, has been a faculty member for the AICPA’s National Business Valuation School for close to 25 years and is currently on the faculty of the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute.—
BySteel Rose,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Jenkins did not respond to an interview request, but the extent of those concerns appears to have been a memo authored by an Oakland resident who frequently criticizes the commission at public forums.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
To do so, the country is supporting mass infrastructure projects and the construction of stadiums, priorities that the movement heavily criticizes.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 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
-
The report admonishes the Alameda County foster care system for ongoing structural deficiencies, including understaffing and poor record-keeping, while also noting that the agency’s plan to address service gaps may still not be enough to bring it up to standard.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
24 Sep. 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
-
Washington — Democrats in the Senate are calling for an investigation and immediate removal of a video being shown at some Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames Democrats for the government shutdown.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
-
LaMalfa worries about the future of American farming and blames onerous regulations and trade policies for some of its woes.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Late With Scotty Bristol, who berates his writers, helmed by a producer played by Amy Sedaris.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In another clip, his mother berates Pormanove over the phone for letting the co-streamers shave off parts of his hair.—
Philippe Cordier,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
For much of D’Angelo’s career, critics seemed to most appreciate his brilliance by way of comparison.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In Kenya, President William Ruto, facing increasing pressure to resign, dared his critics to oust him from office before the next elections in 2027.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As Dexter questions why Batista’s death hurts so much, Brian chastises his brother for listening to Harry too much.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Red Jacob chastises Colum for not healing quickly enough.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scolds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolds. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share