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told off

VERB

reprimand; criticize harshly

Synonyms

WEAK

berate censure chide give piece of one's mind give tongue-lashing lecture rail rake over the coals rebuke reproach reprove revile scold take to task tick off upbraid vituperate

Antonyms

WEAK

compliment 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.

At a pre-pageant ceremony, Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil told off Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of contestants for failing to post promotional content.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

Adrien was just sitting there, like a teenager being told off in a principal’s office.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025

"I would just daydream, do nothing, and I'd probably get told off a bunch."

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2024

His defence barrister Gul Nawaz Hussain KC asked: “Were you ever told off, rebuked or disciplined for doing that?”

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2024

The usual way this happened was that the teacher on playground duty inspected the lines, told off anyone who was talking or fooling around, and dismissed the classes one at a time.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman