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The best synonyms for scold include reprimand, rebuke, chide, admonish, berate, chastise, reprove, and upbraid. These words describe criticizing or correcting someone for their behavior..
Sometimes people need to correct someone’s bad behavior. In English, the common word used for this is scold. However, repeating the same word again and again can make writing sound boring.
That is why many learners search for synonyms for scold, words for scold, or other words for scold to improve their vocabulary. Learning these words like scold helps writers and speakers express criticism, correction, or warning in different ways.
In this guide, you will learn 30 scold synonyms, their meanings, and examples to help you understand how they are used in real sentences.
Quick Table of Scold Synonyms
| Word | Meaning | Tone |
| Reprimand | Formal scolding | Formal |
| Rebuke | Sharp criticism | Formal |
| Admonish | Gentle warning | Mild |
| Chide | Mild scolding | Mild |
| Berate | Angry criticism | Strong |
| Castigate | Very harsh criticism | Very Strong |
| Reproach | Express disappointment | Moderate |
| Upbraid | Angry blame | Strong |
| Lambaste | Severe criticism | Strong |
| Take to Task | Criticize for mistakes | Moderate |
These scold synonyms help you describe different levels of criticism in English.
30 Words for Scold (With Meanings and Examples)
1. Reprimand
Meaning: To formally scold someone for wrongdoing.
Example 1: The manager reprimanded the employee for arriving late.
Example 2: She was reprimanded by the teacher for talking during class.
2. Rebuke
Meaning: To express sharp disapproval of someone’s actions.
Example 1: The coach rebuked the player for breaking the rules.
Example 2: The manager rebuked him for careless work.
3. Admonish
Meaning: To warn or correct someone gently.
Example 1: The doctor admonished him to stop smoking.
Example 2: The teacher admonished the student for being rude.
4. Chide
Meaning: To scold someone mildly.
Example 1: She chided her brother for forgetting her birthday.
Example 2: The mother chided the child for leaving toys on the floor.
5. Berate
Meaning: To scold angrily and at length.
Example 1: The boss berated the employee for making a big mistake.
Example 2: The coach berated the team for their poor performance.
6. Castigate
Meaning: To criticize or punish someone severely.
Example 1: The critic castigated the actor for a weak performance.
Example 2: The manager castigated the team for poor effort.
7. Reprove
Meaning: To scold someone for unacceptable behavior.
Example 1: The teacher reproved the student for cheating.
Example 2: The father reproved his son for lying.
8. Upbraid
Meaning: To angrily criticize someone.
Example 1: She upbraided him for forgetting the meeting.
Example 2: The boss upbraided the employee for negligence.
9. Lambaste
Meaning: To criticize someone very harshly.
Example 1: The journalist lambasted the company for poor service.
Example 2: The coach lambasted the players after the defeat.
10. Reproach
Meaning: To express disappointment in someone’s behavior.
Example 1: She reproached him for breaking his promise.
Example 2: The teacher reproached the class for being noisy.
11. Tell Off
Meaning: To scold someone angrily.
Example 1: She told off the children for fighting.
Example 2: The boss told him off for ignoring instructions.
12. Take to Task
Meaning: To criticize someone for a mistake.
Example 1: The manager took him to task for poor performance.
Example 2: The teacher took the student to task for missing homework.
13. Dress Down
Meaning: To scold someone severely.
Example 1: The officer dressed down the soldier for disobedience.
Example 2: The boss dressed him down for careless mistakes.
14. Chew Out
Meaning: To angrily scold someone.
Example 1: The coach chewed out the players for losing focus.
Example 2: The manager chewed him out for missing the meeting.
15. Criticize
Meaning: To point out faults or mistakes.
Example 1: The teacher criticized the student’s careless work.
Example 2: The coach criticized the team’s poor performance.
16. Blame
Meaning: To say someone is responsible for a mistake.
Example 1: She blamed him for the failed project.
Example 2: The manager blamed the team for the delay.
17. Condemn
Meaning: To strongly disapprove of something.
Example 1: The leader condemned the irresponsible behavior.
Example 2: The teacher condemned cheating in exams.
18. Denounce
Meaning: To publicly criticize someone.
Example 1: The politician denounced corruption.
Example 2: The manager denounced dishonest actions.
19. Censure
Meaning: To formally express strong disapproval.
Example 1: The committee censured the official for misconduct.
Example 2: The board censured the manager for negligence.
20. Lecture
Meaning: To criticize someone with a long talk.
Example 1: The teacher lectured the class about discipline.
Example 2: His father lectured him about responsibility.
Words That Mean Scold
Many English learners also search for words that mean scold or words meaning scold when trying to improve their vocabulary. These alternatives describe criticizing, correcting, or warning someone for inappropriate behavior.
21. Object to Behavior
Meaning: To show disapproval of someone’s actions.
Example 1: The parent objected to the child’s rude behavior.
Example 2: The teacher objected to the student’s attitude.
22. Tear Into
Meaning: To criticize someone harshly.
Example 1: The manager tore into the employee for mistakes.
Example 2: The coach tore into the team after the loss.
23. Call Out
Meaning: To openly criticize someone.
Example 1: She called out her coworker for lying.
Example 2: The teacher called him out for cheating.
Words for Scolding Someone
Many writers search for words for scolding someone or words for scolding to describe discipline or correction.
24. Read the Riot Act
Meaning: To strongly warn or scold someone.
Example 1: The principal read the riot act to the students.
Example 2: The manager read the riot act to careless employees.
25. Blow Up At
Meaning: To suddenly scold someone angrily.
Example 1: He blew up at his brother for breaking his phone.
Example 2: The boss blew up at the staff for missing deadlines.
26. Give Someone a Talking-To
Meaning: To scold someone seriously.
Example 1: The manager gave him a talking-to about his behavior.
Example 2: The teacher gave the student a talking-to after class.
27. Scathe
Meaning: To strongly criticize someone.
Example 1: The critic scathed the director for the bad movie.
Example 2: The coach scathed the players for their laziness.
28. Reprehend
Meaning: To formally scold someone.
Example 1: The officer reprehended the soldier for breaking rules.
Example 2: The manager reprehended the employee for misconduct.
29. Accuse
Meaning: To blame someone for wrongdoing.
Example 1: She accused him of neglecting his duties.
Example 2: The manager accused the staff of carelessness.
30. Correct
Meaning: To scold lightly while fixing someone’s mistake.
Example 1: The teacher corrected the student politely.
Example 2: The mother corrected her child’s behavior.
Scold Synonyms by Intensity
Not all scold synonyms show the same level of anger.
Mild
Chide, Admonish, Correct
Moderate
Reprimand, Rebuke, Reproach
Strong
Berate, Castigate, Lambaste, Upbraid
FAQs
What is another word for scold?
Common alternatives include reprimand, rebuke, chide, admonish, berate, and chastise.
What words mean scolding someone?
Words like lecture, criticize, rebuke, and reprimand describe scolding someone.
What are synonyms of scold in English?
Examples include admonish, reproach, castigate, lambaste, and upbraid.
What is a synonym of scolded?
Words like reprimanded, rebuked, chastised, and berated can replace scolded.
Conclusion
Learning synonyms for scold helps writers express criticism, correction, or reprimand with greater clarity and variety. Words such as reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chide, berate, and chastise allow you to adjust tone from gentle advice to strong criticism.
Expanding your vocabulary with words for scold, scolding synonyms, and words that mean scold improves storytelling, academic writing, and professional communication. Instead of repeating the same word, these alternatives help convey meaning more precisely and naturally.
By practicing these scold synonyms, you can communicate discipline or criticism in ways that sound more polished, engaging, and effective.
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I am Daniel Whitmore.I write about everyday English, common grammar mistakes, and word meanings. My goal is to make learning English simple, clear, and practical for everyone.
