to lecture

Examples

• All

• My teacher often lectures us about the importance of being honest and taking responsibility.

• Don't lecture me about family.

  Tell It Like a Woman (2022)

• Every morning, my dad would lecture us on the..

  My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

• Who are they to lecture me?

  Gladiator (2000)

• Next time you lecture me.

  Jerry Maguire (1996)

• You're not supposed to lecture people.

  Air (2023)

• Why are you lecturing me?

  Election (1999)

• All the way home, she lectures me about taking care of the library's books.

  Fiction book (1993)

• I didn't come here to be lectured, Dad.

  The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)

• Al drove us to Eloise's house, lecturing me all the way.

  Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

S

to scold

vsto lecture

55 2.2

Speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong

is longer and more focused on moral instruction than anger

B

to berate

vsto lecture

36 7.2

Scold someone angrily and severely

is similar but emphasizes moral teaching alongside criticism

R

to reprimand

vsto lecture

• Formal

33 6.1

To tell someone they did something wrong, usually by a person in charge

is longer and carries moral instruction rather than only disapproval

R

to rebuke

vsto lecture

• Formal

26 6.9

To tell someone firmly that you do not approve of their actions

is less about official denunciation and more about moral advice

C

to chide

vsto lecture

22 7.0

Tell someone you are unhappy with what they did

is harsher and more lengthy with moral advice

T

to take to task

vsto lecture

18 6.3

To scold someone strongly for a mistake

is broader, lasting longer and adding moral guidance

C

to chew out

vsto lecture

• Informal

13 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

is longer and more about moral instruction than short anger

L

to lambast

vsto lecture

12 8.2

To criticize someone very strongly and angrily

is more about instructing morals rather than purely attacking

M

to moralize

vsto lecture

3 7.2

Tell someone that their actions are right or wrong in a way that sounds like a lecture

adds longer serious criticism and more instruction

C

to call on the carpet

vsto lecture

• Archaic

3 7.9

To tell someone strongly that they have done something wrong, often in front of others

is less about formal authority and more about moral teaching

D

to dress down

vsto lecture

• Informal

3 6.3

To angrily tell someone they did something wrong

is less purely punitive and includes moral teaching

S

to sermonize

vsto lecture

2 8.0

To give advice about right and wrong for a long time in a boring way

is similar but stays more neutral and less sermonlike

C

to chew up

vsto lecture

• Informal

2 7.1

To scold someone angrily and severely

is longer and focuses more on moral advice than raw censure

C

to call down

vsto lecture

• Informal

1 6.8

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is more sustained and aimed at teaching rather than only anger

G

to give a speaking to

vsto lecture

• UK

6.9

To tell someone they behaved badly in a serious way

is more focused on long moral instruction than formal rebuke

B

to bawl out

vsto lecture

• Informal

6.7

Shout loudly at someone because they did something wrong

is calmer and more sustained, focusing on advice and morals

V

to vituperate

vsto lecture

• Offensive

9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is serious and instructive rather than abusive or purely angry

Antonyms

S

to support

∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

Compounds

P

public lecture

1 2.8

A talk on a subject that anyone can attend

L

lecture room

1 3.0

A room in a college or university where a teacher speaks to many students

C

curtain lecture

• Archaic

9.9

A private scolding that a wife gives her husband in the bedroom

L

lecture demonstration

4.3

A presentation where a teacher shows a real example to explain a topic

L

lecture room

• Texting

3.4

An online space where a teacher speaks live to many students

How Critical

to reprimand

• Formal

33 6.1

to scold

55 2.2

to lecture

89 4.6

to admonish

31 6.8

to warn

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology