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.

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

Kelly went on to scold Poehler for a brief moment during the episode when Poehler erroneously thought Paltrow starred in the 2003 drama, “Cold Mountain,” saying that the mistake was “embarrassing and disrespectful.”

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026

"Now I'm braver, so I go along with it when they scold me."

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

A buzz travels through the room, but when Ma doesn't protest or scold me, the crowd parts for us.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Vocabulary lists containing scold

Instead of "Said": Vexed Verbiage to Express Anger

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Curmudgeon, Cantankerous and Churlish: Grouchy Words

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Wasn't Me: The Lingo of Laying Blame

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