To criticize for a fault or an offense

• chew out

  1. (idiomatic, US) To lecture, scold, reprimand, or rebuke.

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  1. (idiomatic, US) To lecture, scold, reprimand, or rebuke.

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• lambaste

  1. To give a thrashing to; beat.
  2. To scold sharply; berate:

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  1. To give a thrashing to; beat.
  2. To scold sharply; berate:

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• bawl out

  1. (idiomatic) To deliver a loud, hard scolding or lecture; to reprimand.
  2. (idiomatic) To have a serious argument accompanied with shouting.

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  1. (idiomatic) To deliver a loud, hard scolding or lecture; to reprimand.
  2. (idiomatic) To have a serious argument accompanied with shouting.

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• upbraid

  1. To reprove sharply; reproach.

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  1. To reprove sharply; reproach.

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• tax

  1. A contribution for the support of a government required of persons, groups, or businesses within the domain of that government.
  2. A fee or dues levied on the members of an organization to meet its expenses.
  3. A burdensome or excessive demand; a strain.

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  1. A contribution for the support of a government required of persons, groups, or businesses within the domain of that government.
  2. A fee or dues levied on the members of an organization to meet its expenses.
  3. A burdensome or excessive demand; a strain.

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• scold

  1. To reprimand or criticize harshly and usually angrily.
  2. To express harsh or angry disapproval to someone.
  3. One who persistently nags or criticizes:

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  1. To reprimand or criticize harshly and usually angrily.
  2. To express harsh or angry disapproval to someone.
  3. One who persistently nags or criticizes:

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• reprove

  1. To express disapproval to (someone); criticize:
  2. To express disapproval about (something):

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  1. To express disapproval to (someone); criticize:
  2. To express disapproval about (something):

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• reprimand

  1. To reprove (someone) severely, especially in a formal or official way.
  2. A severe, formal, or official rebuke or censure.

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  1. To reprove (someone) severely, especially in a formal or official way.
  2. A severe, formal, or official rebuke or censure.

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• rebuke

  1. To criticize (someone) sharply; reprimand.
  2. To express sharp criticism regarding (an act, for example):
  3. To check or repress.

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  1. To criticize (someone) sharply; reprimand.
  2. To express sharp criticism regarding (an act, for example):
  3. To check or repress.

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• rap

  1. To hit sharply and swiftly; strike:
  2. To utter sharply:
  3. To criticize or blame.

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  1. To hit sharply and swiftly; strike:
  2. To utter sharply:
  3. To criticize or blame.

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• dress down

  1. Of or relating to situations in which informal clothing is permitted:

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  1. Of or relating to situations in which informal clothing is permitted:

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• chide

  1. To scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand:
  2. To express disapproval.

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  1. To scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand:
  2. To express disapproval.

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• chastise

  1. To punish, as for wrongdoing.
  2. To criticize severely; reprimand or rebuke.
  3. To purify.

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  1. To punish, as for wrongdoing.
  2. To criticize severely; reprimand or rebuke.
  3. To purify.

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• castigate

  1. To punish or rebuke severely.

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  1. To punish or rebuke severely.

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• call down

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• admonish

  1. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided or warn (that something is dangerous):
  2. To urge or exhort (someone to do something):
  3. To remind (someone) of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.

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  1. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided or warn (that something is dangerous):
  2. To urge or exhort (someone to do something):
  3. To remind (someone) of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility.

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To cause to feel embarrassment, dishonor, and often guilt

• shame

  1. A painful emotion caused by the awareness of having done something wrong or foolish:
  2. Respect for propriety or morality:
  3. A pervasive, negative emotional state, usually originating in childhood, marked by chronic self-reproach and a sense of personal failure.

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  1. A painful emotion caused by the awareness of having done something wrong or foolish:
  2. Respect for propriety or morality:
  3. A pervasive, negative emotional state, usually originating in childhood, marked by chronic self-reproach and a sense of personal failure.

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Words expressive of strong disapproval

• rap

  1. To hit sharply and swiftly; strike:
  2. To utter sharply:
  3. To criticize or blame.

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  1. To hit sharply and swiftly; strike:
  2. To utter sharply:
  3. To criticize or blame.

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• scolding

  1. A harsh or sharp reprimand.

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  1. A harsh or sharp reprimand.

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• reproof

  1. The act, an instance, or an expression of reproving; a rebuke.

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  1. The act, an instance, or an expression of reproving; a rebuke.

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• reprimand

  1. To reprove (someone) severely, especially in a formal or official way.
  2. A severe, formal, or official rebuke or censure.

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  1. To reprove (someone) severely, especially in a formal or official way.
  2. A severe, formal, or official rebuke or censure.

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• rebuke

  1. To criticize (someone) sharply; reprimand.
  2. To express sharp criticism regarding (an act, for example):
  3. To check or repress.

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  1. To criticize (someone) sharply; reprimand.
  2. To express sharp criticism regarding (an act, for example):
  3. To check or repress.

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• admonition

  1. Mild, kind, yet earnest reproof.
  2. Cautionary advice or warning.

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  1. Mild, kind, yet earnest reproof.
  2. Cautionary advice or warning.

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• admonishment

  1. A reprimand or rebuke. The act of admonishing.

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  1. A reprimand or rebuke. The act of admonishing.

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An implied criticism

• slur

  1. To pronounce indistinctly.
  2. To talk about disparagingly or insultingly.
  3. To pass over lightly or carelessly; treat without due consideration.

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  1. To pronounce indistinctly.
  2. To talk about disparagingly or insultingly.
  3. To pass over lightly or carelessly; treat without due consideration.

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• reflection

  1. The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
  2. Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.
  3. Serious thinking or careful consideration:

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  1. The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
  2. Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.
  3. Serious thinking or careful consideration:

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