TAKING TO TASK Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

taking to task

phrase

Definition of taking to task next

present participle of take to task

as in criticizing

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of He took his rival to task during the TV interview.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

criticizing
blaming
knocking
faulting
denouncing
finding fault (with)
condemning
coming down hard (on)
attacking
tweaking
slamming
panning
dispraising
slagging
scolding
reprehending
kicking
nicking (at)
censuring
sniping (at)
slashing
complaining
lashing
dissing
blasting
muttering
whining
admonishing
murmuring
assailing
grumbling
skewering
moaning
bitching
cavilling
niggling
beefing
growling
clobbering
chiding
quibbling
disparaging
bellyaching
kvetching
putting down
griping
grousing
reprimanding
carping
gibbeting
crabbing
caviling
berating
drubbing
upbraiding
belittling
crucifying
discommending
deriding
rebuking
excoriating
flaying
reproaching
pillorying
reproving
croaking
hammering
decrying
keelhauling
lambasting
fussing
castigating
bad-mouthing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

praising
extolling
approving
recommending
endorsing
commending
sanctioning
lauding
indorsing

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown.

Synonyms & Similar Words

scolding
lecturing
railing (at or against)
ranting (at)
reaming (out)
reprimanding
calling down
dressing down
blaming
bawling out
criticizing
chewing out
laying into
reading the riot act (to)
rating
berating
remonstrating (with)
ragging
attacking
upbraiding
admonishing
basting
mocking
flaying
chastising
scoring
tongue-lashing
lacing (into)
rebuking
hammering
jawing
faulting
reproaching
lambasting
keelhauling
castigating
chiding
knocking
slamming
lashing
vituperating
disparaging
condemning
panning
denouncing
reviling
putting down
abusing
blasting
crucifying
assailing
haranguing
reproving
belittling
scourging
reprehending
excoriating
censuring
ridiculing
scoffing
bad-mouthing
scorning
dissing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

approving
endorsing
sanctioning
indorsing
praising
extolling
lauding

Cite this Entry

Style

“Taking to task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20to%20task. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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