SCOLD Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'scold' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scold are berate , rail , revile , upbraid , and vituperate . While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly. // angrily scolding the children

Q: When would 'berate' be a good substitute for 'scold'?

The meanings of berate and scold largely overlap; however, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding. // berated continually by an overbearing boss

Q: When can 'rail' be used instead of 'scold'?

The words rail and scold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rail ( at or against ) stresses an unrestrained berating. // railed loudly at their insolence

Q: When is 'revile' a more appropriate choice than 'scold'?

The synonyms revile and scold are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. // an alleged killer reviled in the press

Q: When could 'upbraid' be used to replace 'scold'?

While the synonyms upbraid and scold are close in meaning, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds. // upbraided her assistants for poor research

Q: Where would 'vituperate' be a reasonable alternative to 'scold'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scold , vituperate suggests a violent reviling. // was vituperated for betraying his friends

scold 1 of 2

verb

ˈskōld

Definition of scold next

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scold

2 of 2

noun

as in faultfinder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb scold differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scold are berate, rail, revile, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When would berate be a good substitute for scold?

The meanings of berate and scold largely overlap; however, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When can rail be used instead of scold?

The words rail and scold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When is revile a more appropriate choice than scold?

The synonyms revile and scold are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When could upbraid be used to replace scold?

While the synonyms upbraid and scold are close in meaning, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

Where would vituperate be a reasonable alternative to scold?

While in some cases nearly identical to scold, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of scold

Verb

Just enough to make Sofia feel scolded and get her in the car home, where she’s met by the police to arrest her for the murder of the reporter and all the other women who worked for her father. —

Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024 Yes, but: The IMF subtly scolds the U.S. and other countries that have implemented industrial policies and tariffs. —

Courtenay Brown, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

When Roger Goodell suspended Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least one full season for betting on NFL games, the commissioner was very careful with the wording of his official scold. —

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2022 Bozell, who plays a media scold on television, has written a book that despite its subtitle is neither dogmatic nor even thematic. —

Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 6 Jan. 2022 See all Example Sentences for scold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scold

Verb

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
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