chide

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb chide contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chide are admonish, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

When might admonish be a better fit than chide?

Although the words admonish and chide have much in common, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When can rebuke be used instead of chide?

While the synonyms rebuke and chide are close in meaning, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

In what contexts can reprimand take the place of chide?

While in some cases nearly identical to chide, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

When could reprove be used to replace chide?

The meanings of reprove and chide largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chide More:Streets of mud: Helene dashes small town's hopes in North Carolina More:Biden to visit North Carolina to tour Helene damage as Trump chides response Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024 But some Republicans also chided the comedian for the racist remarks. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2024 Resist the temptation to chide, yell, or unload your anger. Erik Logan, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 Afterwards, back at the dorm, Noa chided Anniko for the bold move. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chide 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide
Verb
  • But even now, Ken admonishes himself for trying to silo da Vinci’s expertise into such restrictive disciplines.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
  • The latest: Several Democrats in tight races publicly admonished Biden on Wednesday.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Still, watching Hannah scold him about everything, from 401(k)s to boiling water to phone bills, from ordering him to walk a dog that doesn’t belong to him to telling him that riding hotel pool furniture would give her the ick, was painful.
    Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Dolores returns to scold her grandson for badmouthing her during the show’s Día de los Muertos episode, which airs on NBC on Friday, Oct. 25.
    Brendan Le, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The Democratic chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee reprimanded the heads of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security for failing to appear for an annual hearing.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Judge denies Preston Lord defendant's request to return case to grand jury Cochise County judge reprimanded for issuing improper arrest warrant Tucson robbery cases for the year's first nine months were tacked at 598, reflecting a spike of 25 from all of last year.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Thao, the first Hmong American mayor to lead a major American city, was criticized shortly after taking office for letting go of a police chief and taking months to replace him.
    Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But the group has largely been shy about criticizing Trump openly.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The spokesperson noted that the failure to win a loan guarantee from the German government wasn't down to Lilium's technology, but instead was blamed on disagreement in parliament from the Green Party over funding an air travel company.
    Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • An American citizen has died at a popular adventure spot in Laos where alcohol tainted with methanol has been blamed for a spate of poisonings in recent days.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near chide

Cite this Entry

“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chide. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on chide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!