Synonyms of upbraids

upbraids

verb

present tense third-person singular of upbraid

as in scolds

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

his wife upbraided him for his irresponsible handling of the family finances

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolds
• reprimands
• lectures
• criticizes
• blames
• berates
• chastises
• admonishes
• rebukes
• castigates
• lambastes
• reproaches
• mocks
• flays
• rails (at or against)
• calls down
• bawls out
• rags
• chides
• faults
• bastes
• jaws
• dresses down
• scores
• attacks
• lays into
• takes to task
• reams (out)
• rants (at)
• hammers
• excoriates
• tongue-lashes
• reproves
• rates
• reviles
• condemns
• keelhauls
• denounces
• chews out
• reads the riot act (to)
• assails
• crucifies
• disparages
• slams
• harangues
• censures
• remonstrates (with)
• ridicules
• belittles
• scoffs
• abuses
• knocks
• bad-mouths
• scorns
• pans
• lashes
• blasts
• scourges
• laces (into)
• vituperates
• reprehends
• disses
• puts down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approves
• endorses
• sanctions
• praises
• extols
• lauds

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upbraids

There’s a moment when a former general upbraids a footman for not wearing gloves to serve food. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2026

Mother Mary shivers in the middle of the barn with her head slung low while Sam upbraids the pop star for leaving her behind for other, whiter designers when her career went supernova. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026