read the riot act to

VERB

scarify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

slap down

STRONG

attack blister castigate damn excoriate flay lambaste lash pan scorch scourge slash vilify

WEAK

burn someone's ears crawl all over lash into pin someone's ears back put someone on the griddle put someone on the hot seat rake over the coals rip into scathe shoot down

Antonyms

STRONG

compliment laud mend praise protect

VERB

scathe

Synonyms

STRONG

attack blister damn lash pan scorch score scourge slap slash

WEAK

burn someone's ears castigate crawl all over drub excoriate flay lambaste lash into pin someone's ears back put someone on the griddle put someone on the hot seat rake over the coals rip into scarify shoot down vilify

Antonyms

STRONG

mend praise protect

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

I don’t know if I should because he will read the riot act to them and refuse to go over for the holidays.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2017

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

The first time I tried to read the riot act to them when they were staying up much too late and disobeying their mother, I went in and raised my voice.

From New York Times • Jun. 22, 2012

Yes, and I drove them up to the corral and read the riot act to Marthy and Charlie Fox—" "Huh!

From The Ranch at the Wolverine by Bower, B. M.

read the riot act to

Example Sentences

Related Words