as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
the drill sergeant tongue-lashed the recruits with a colorful litany of foulmouthed invectives
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Recent Examples of tongue-lash
Spencer died Sunday at his home in Palm Desert, according to his daughter, Karen.
Spencer once dreamed of coaching big-time college football and his blunt, salty style could have served him well barking orders from the sideline or delivering a tongue-lashing locker-room speech.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tongue-lash
Verb
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After performing spirited pieces from the Prime Video superhero drama at Deadline’s Sound & Screen: Television event, composers Christopher Lennertz and Matt Bowen were asked if they’ve ever been scolded for going too far with their music.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
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Similar circumstances were noted at most airports across the country, with media reporting that those without a Real ID have faced little more than a scolding from TSA agents or a reminder to book an appointment soon to get a Star Card.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
7 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
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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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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As negotiations resume, the costs of economic stagnation are compounding—while the limits of blaming sanctions alone become harder to ignore.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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As a cardinal, Robert Prevost didn’t hesitate to criticize the Trump administration when necessary.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2025
Verb
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But the game changer, a change in field practices that drove use of force on crisis calls down by 68% over a four-year period, was a different type of training — a mandatory one that Anderson helped craft.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
5 May 2025
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The next day the family was called down to the station to pick up Skip.—
Janine Rubenstein,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tongue-lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tongue-lash. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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