tongue-lash

verb

ˈtəŋ-ˌlash How to pronounce tongue-lash (audio)
Definition of tongue-lashnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tongue-lash
  1. scold
  2. lecture
  3. reprimand
  4. blame
  5. criticize
  6. call down
Verb
  • In one snap, the President, viewed from above, points his finger crossly, as if scolding a scrum of unruly children.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • Kirson remembered, adding that, minutes later, the show’s production team scolded her.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Khimasia is an independent curator who currently lectures at Rutgers University.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026
  • Fauci stepped down from his NIAID post at the end of 2022 and segued to a lecturing job at Georgetown.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • According to state records, Tolliver was reprimanded by the state’s Education Practices Commission and given two years of probation from teaching in 2012.
    — Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • The Israeli soldier who physically assaulted a CNN photojournalist in March was formally reprimanded by his commanders for his use of force but faces no criminal charges in the matter, the Israeli military said Monday.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Online, several people have blamed Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) as the problem.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Wright said that the argument blaming solar power for raising electricity bills doesn’t make much sense.
    — Velvet Wu July 27, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Republican lawmakers roundly criticized those programs, but also accepted the funding, Smith said.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Officiating has been a major contention point, with players like Napheesa Collier previously criticizing the league.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • This year, the irrigators began calling down water on July 1, boosting flows in the Colorado River.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
  • Armed with a name, Polyphemus is able to call down his father’s wrath on Odysseus.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026
Definition of call down
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.

Browse Nearby Words

tongue-in-cheek
tongue-lash
tongue-lashed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tongue-lash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tongue-lash. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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