6 synonyms and better words for “scold,” each with its precise meaning and an example so you pick the one that actually fits, not just the nearest match.
To express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone's actions.
“The coach rebuked his player sternly after the deliberate foul, his voice cutting through the locker room silence.”
Best for: Works well in formal or serious writing; carries weight without sounding archaic.
To find fault with or scold someone severely and at length.
“She upbraided her assistant for the third time that week, her patience worn to a thread.”
Best for: Slightly old-fashioned but vivid; suits literary fiction or period drama dialogue.
To criticize someone harshly and fiercely, often in a public setting.
“The senator was lambasted by journalists the moment she stepped off the plane.”
Best for: Great for journalism, punchy prose, or any high-energy confrontational scene.
To reprimand someone severely, implying a desire to correct or punish.
“The general castigated his officers for the catastrophic breakdown in communication.”
Best for: Best in formal, military, or institutional contexts; carries a sense of authority.
To rebuke or scold vehemently, with intense and sustained reproach.
“The old magistrate objurgated the defendant with a ferocity that startled even the bailiff.”
Best for: Extremely rare in modern usage; perfect for historical fiction or to stun a reader pleasantly.
An archaic verb meaning to scold or berate someone angrily.
“She rated him soundly before he could even remove his muddy boots at the door.”
Best for: Rare and archaic; appears in Shakespeare and Victorian literature, delightful in period writing.
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