as in invective
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Dissimilar Words
as in scolding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tongue-lashing
Noun
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Some of those pushing anti-Jewish invective on the right are opportunists.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026 -
After years of inflammatory social-media posts and antisemitic invective, Kanye West has taken out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal that traces his erratic behavior to his 2002 car crash.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But Saxon said Ye kept him constantly on edge, demanding photo updates of construction work, scolding him for wearing blue instead of the all-black worker uniform Ye preferred, and suddenly adding 24/7 security duties to his workload.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 Feb. 2026
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Porter was initially viewed as having a potential edge in the race, but her prospects dimmed after videos emerged in October of the UC Irvine law professor scolding a reporter and swearing at an aide.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The 6-3 ruling against Trump’s levies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act earned the six justices in the majority a severe tongue lashing.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
21 Feb. 2026
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To better break through modern wilderness frontiers, Bowlus' newest offering gets upgraded with the 3-in lift, all-terrain tires, spare tire mount and interior lashing system of the Adventure Package.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That includes lecturing, building curriculum, pursuing research and speaking about university policy.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
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Katie da Cunha Lewin is a writer based in London, currently lecturing in 20th and 21st-century literature at Coventry University.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The livestreamers’ video, which was posted online, shows the victim pulling out her own phone in the middle of James’ tirade and recording.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
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The seemingly out of nowhere coach who filled reporters’ notebooks with quips and fiery tirades was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1971.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, don’t discount the power of comforting or reprimanding statements, because both are necessary in their own ways.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Harnessing the camp of countless Drag Race acting challenges that came before her, Jujubee films a close-up reaction to a group of rowdy passengers reprimanding her, escalating the moment until her face is full-on twitching before a physical confrontation.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Oct. 2024
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The politicization of the COVID response has only worsened this trend, likely resulting in part from Trump’s vituperation.—
Matt Motta,
Scientific American,
29 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The watchdog agency’s panel recommended Friday that the costs of the proceedings be taxed against Peffer, in addition to the 30-day suspension, public reprimand and fine.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
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If the justices uphold the public reprimand, which is the harshest sanction available, Givens would not be allowed to serve as a visiting judge.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Tongue-lashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tongue-lashing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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