scold

[skohld] / skoʊld /

VERB

find fault with

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admonish berate blame castigate censure chide criticize denounce rebuke reprimand reproach taunt upbraid vilify

STRONG

abuse asperse cavil chasten disparage expostulate lecture nag preach rail rate ream recriminate reprobate reprove revile vituperate

WEAK

dress down give a talking-to jump on keep aft lay down the law light into objurate put down rake over the coals take to task tell off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

applaud approve commend compliment exonerate flatter laud praise

STRONG

help honor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I really want to give it up. Every day I scold myself and tell myself to quit: no more, no more."

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

The movie doesn’t quite know how to handle Mabel: She’s meant to be charmingly determined but comes across as more of a scold and a busybody.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

“You can’t degrade the travel experience for decades and then scold people for dressing to endure the experience,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

At concerts, he chats with the audience, takes requests, sometimes stopping mid-song to adjust the arrangement, or to scold his fans for spending too much time recording, instead of being present.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Cook couldn’t scold her for snooping when she herself could see that Ophie wasn’t prying.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Vocabulary lists containing scold

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