Definitions

scold

[skohld] / skoʊld /

VERB

find fault with

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admonish berate blame castigate censure chide criticize denounce rebuke reprimand reproach taunt upbraid vilify

STRONG

abuse asperse cavil chasten disparage expostulate lecture nag preach rail rate ream recriminate reprobate reprove revile vituperate

WEAK

dress down give a talking-to jump on keep aft lay down the law light into objurate put down rake over the coals take to task tell off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

applaud approve commend compliment exonerate flatter laud praise

STRONG

help honor

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.

The only time she admonishes him about his language is to scold him for apologizing too much.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

As Mr. Clark tells us, an allegation against the pastors was set in motion in 1835 by Count Finck von Finckenstein, a nasty moral scold and the villain of the story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

‘You can’t degrade the travel experience for decades and then scold people for dressing to endure the experience.’

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

At concerts, he chats with the audience, takes requests, sometimes stopping mid-song to adjust the arrangement, or to scold his fans for spending too much time recording, instead of being present.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

He brought the carseat upstairs, handed Nademah to Kathy, and before she could scold him, kid him, or divorce him, he ran down the stairs and went for a walk.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Vocabulary lists containing scold

Instead of "Said": Vexed Verbiage to Express Anger

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Curmudgeon, Cantankerous and Churlish: Grouchy Words

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Wasn't Me: The Lingo of Laying Blame

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