as in invective
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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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After two months, her streams of heart and kiss emojis gave way to rivers of invective.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026 -
Some of those pushing anti-Jewish invective on the right are opportunists.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On March 12, the judge sought to change the journalists’ seating arrangement in court after scolding them for asking İmamoğlu questions during a hearing.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
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And this time, Carmen turned his sights towards Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson, scolding him for his timeout decisions.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.—
Bob Strauss,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
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The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.—
Bob Strauss,
San Francisco Chronicle,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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College professors spend less time lecturing than a typical sportswriter creating fake controversies to criticize.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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If and until that day comes, there will be fingerpointing, lecturing and posturing, all of which has flowed freely in the wake of the Sorsby decision.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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After the verdict was presented to the court Tuesday, Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, unleashed a fiery tirade at Anthony.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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The film explores how comedians parody leaders and help define them to the public, an important conversation currently amid presidential tirades against late night hosts, and after The Late Show With Stephen Colbert closed up shop last month.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 June 2026
Verb
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If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The judiciary's system for policing misconduct includes punishment such as informal warnings and public reprimands.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
9 June 2026
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The filing references a confidential judicial disciplinary matter within the 11th Circuit involving an unnamed federal judge who allegedly attended a partisan political event and later received a private reprimand.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Trump looks to shake off embarrassment Just a week ago, Trump’s pick for Iowa governor was defeated in a rare rebuke from his own party.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
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Nowhere have such spats been more ironic than in Vance’s rebuke of the pope.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
8 June 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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