UPBRAID Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'upbraid' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of upbraid are berate , rail , revile , scold , and vituperate . While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds. // upbraided her assistants for poor research

Q: When might 'berate' be a better fit than 'upbraid'?

Although the words berate and upbraid have much in common, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding. // berated continually by an overbearing boss

Q: When would 'rail' be a good substitute for 'upbraid'?

The words rail and upbraid can be used in similar contexts, but rail ( at or against ) stresses an unrestrained berating. // railed loudly at their insolence

Q: Where would 'revile' be a reasonable alternative to 'upbraid'?

The synonyms revile and upbraid are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. // an alleged killer reviled in the press

Q: When is it sensible to use 'scold' instead of 'upbraid'?

While in some cases nearly identical to upbraid , scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly. // angrily scolding the children

Q: When can 'vituperate' be used instead of 'upbraid'?

The words vituperate and upbraid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vituperate suggests a violent reviling. // was vituperated for betraying his friends

upbraid

verb

ˌəp-ˈbrād

Definition of upbraid next

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings his wife upbraided him for his irresponsible handling of the family finances

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How does the verb upbraid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of upbraid are berate, rail, revile, scold, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When might berate be a better fit than upbraid?

Although the words berate and upbraid have much in common, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When would rail be a good substitute for upbraid?

The words rail and upbraid can be used in similar contexts, but rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

Where would revile be a reasonable alternative to upbraid?

The synonyms revile and upbraid are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is it sensible to use scold instead of upbraid?

While in some cases nearly identical to upbraid, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can vituperate be used instead of upbraid?

The words vituperate and upbraid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Examples of upbraid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In a scathing November 2020 ruling, L.A. Superior Court Judge William F. Fahey upbraided Adams for repeatedly racking up more in fees than the judge had authorized. —

Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 The sometimes tense on-air dynamic between Lemon and Collins became a topic of regular media gossip, marked by one incident in which Lemon upbraided his younger colleague off-set for attempting to speak over him on an episode. —

Jeremy Barr, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2023 In March, Ladapo was officially upbraided by the Food and Drug Administration for his campaign of misinformation about the vaccine. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 Tom steps in, upbraiding the older man for striking a girl. —

Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for upbraid

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upbraid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.