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Definitions

read the riot act

VERB
bring to book
Synonyms
WEAK
call on the carpet take to task tongue-lash
VERB
castigate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
berate censure chastise criticize excoriate flog lambaste lash penalize pummel punish rebuke reprimand scold upbraid
STRONG
baste beat blister cane chasten correct discipline drub flay rail rate ream scarify scorch scourge thrash whip
WEAK
bawl out chew out come down on drag over the coals dress down jump down one's throat lay out lean on scathe tongue-lash
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment exonerate flatter forgive laud praise reward
STRONG
aid assist guard help lose protect surrender
VERB
decree
Synonyms
STRONGEST
declare dictate enact impose proclaim
STRONG
announce command compel constrain decide demand determine force oblige ordain prescribe pronounce require rule set
WEAK
lay down the law put one's foot down
Antonyms
STRONG
conceal delay hesitate hide hinder let go
VERB
dictate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
govern guide impose lay down prescribe
STRONG
bid bulldoze charge control decree direct enjoin instruct lead manage ordain order pronounce regiment rule set
WEAK
call the play call the shots call the tune lay down the law put foot down take the reins walk heavy
Antonyms
STRONG
disallow mismanage
WEAK
ask implore request
VERB
dispose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adapt incline predispose tempt
STRONG
actuate adjust arrange array bend bias condition determine distribute fix govern group induce influence lead locate marshal motivate move organize prepare promote prompt put range rank regulate set settle shepherd stand sway systematize tailor
WEAK
call the tune lay down the law make willing methodize put one's foot down put to rights ride herd on set in order
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discourage
STRONG
change comply confuse consent depart derange destroy disarrange disorder disorganize disperse displace dissuade disturb halt hinder ignore leave lose miss mix up neglect obey prevent remove scatter stay stop unsettle upset
WEAK
mismanage
VERB
lambaste
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assail berate castigate excoriate scold upbraid
STRONG
attack blister bludgeon censure criticize cudgel denounce flay flog hammer hit pan pelt pound pummel rebuke reprimand roast scorch scourge shellac slam slap slash smear smother strike thrash trim wallop whip
WEAK
lash into rake over the coals rip into scathe
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment laud praise
STRONG
approve flatter protect
VERB
reprove
Synonyms
STRONG
admonish berate castigate censure chide condemn lambaste lecture reprimand reproach scold upbraid
WEAK
bawl out chew out jump down one's throat lay into take to task
Antonyms
STRONG
approve compliment exonerate flatter laud praise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She sang with Muppets, talked with the aliens and read the riot act to Philip Seymour Hoffman.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2024

"It reads a lot like a stern but polite reprimand of a child caught red handed who needs to be read the riot act," he wrote.

From Salon • Sep. 22, 2022

Washington was also a different team in the second half after getting read the riot act by Rivera.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2021

Australia's prime minister has said he "read the riot act" to three ministers after they went home early, meaning his government lost a series of votes.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2016

She had the postmistress on the defensive now, and she was determined to keep her there; so, in calm gentle commiserating tones Donna read the riot act to the embarrassed gossip.

From The Long Chance by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.