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told off

VERB

reprimand; criticize harshly

Synonyms

WEAK

berate censure chide give piece of one's mind give tongue-lashing lecture rail rake over the coals rebuke reproach reprove revile scold take to task tick off upbraid vituperate

Antonyms

WEAK

compliment praise

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.

Adrien was just sitting there, like a teenager being told off in a principal’s office.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025

"You’re not as pressured and you’re not being told off if you do it the wrong way, if you make a mistake you’re not punished for it," said Victoria.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2024

"I felt like I was being told off," Celyn recalled of one conversation with another officer.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2024

He thought he was going to be told off, but the head master invited the press, and Mr Bostock said he was "a celebrity for the week".

From BBC • May 3, 2024

The usual way this happened was that the teacher on playground duty inspected the lines, told off anyone who was talking or fooling around, and dismissed the classes one at a time.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman