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

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has said she read the "riot act" to executives but didn't have the power to sack them.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2023

"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

"I'll go up and read the riot act to her, even if it is late," said Doctor Hugh, frowning.

From Rosemary by Lawrence, Josephine

read the riot act

Example Sentences

Related Words