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to objurgate

to objurgate

1 9.9
To scold someone strongly for doing something wrong
  • verb
  • /ˈɑbʤərˌɡeɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : reprender
  • After the disappointing report, the manager decided to objurgate the team for their lack of effort.

Examples

  • Next, we will be mindless souls, governed by a few who objurgate our rights and burn books.

    Blog text (13)
  • The teacher will objurgate the student for not completing his homework on time.

  • She was objurgated by her parents for coming home late without informing them.

Synonyms

to condemn
vsto objurgate
298 4.0

To strongly criticize someone or something publicly

is more about verbally scolding a person directly than moral public denunciation
to correct
vsto objurgate
65 7.7

To scold or punish someone to improve their behavior

focuses on expressing strong disapproval rather than primarily aiming to change behaviour
to scold
vsto objurgate
55 2.2

Speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong

can be used in writing or speech to show strong disapproval generally
to let him have it
vsto objurgate
  • Informal
44 8.1

To tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is broader and can express severe disapproval without direct personal attack
to give someone hell
vsto objurgate
  • Informal
37 8.1

To scold someone very strongly for something they did

focuses on harsh punishment or anger more than measured strong disapproval
to berate
vsto objurgate
36 7.2

Scold someone angrily and severely

is severe as well but does not have to be expressed angrily
to chastise
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
33 7.6

To scold someone strongly for doing something wrong

is more about strong disapproval without necessarily aiming to correct behaviour
to reprimand
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
33 6.1

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

is less formal and can be used in ordinary speech to show disapproval
to decry
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
31 7.7

To say in public that something is bad or wrong

tends to be suitable for public issues rather than direct personal rebuke
to censure
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
26 7.7

To express strong disapproval of someone, often in an official statement

is more about personal sharp scolding rather than formal institutional statements
to rebuke
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
26 6.9

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

is less formal and more general in personal strong disapproval
to scorch
vsto objurgate
15 7.3

To severely criticize someone or something

focuses on public denunciation rather than private severe scolding
to castigate
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
14 8.8

To criticize or punish someone very harshly

is mainly about severe disapproval rather than formal or physical punishment
to lambast
vsto objurgate
12 8.2

To criticize someone very strongly and angrily

shares severe disapproval but may not always carry strong personal anger
to let someone have it
vsto objurgate
  • Informal
11 8.1

To angrily tell someone off

emphasizes direct personal attack and punishment more than general disapproval
to excoriate
vsto objurgate
  • Literature
9 9.8

To criticize someone or something very harshly in public

is similar but does not always imply public exposure or official censure
to reproach
vsto objurgate
8 6.5

To tell someone you are disappointed in what they did

is stronger and harsher, showing severe disapproval rather than milder disappointment
to rake over the coals
vsto objurgate
  • Informal
4 7.9

Scold someone very strongly for a mistake

is similar but can be brief rather than extended in duration
to upbraid
vsto objurgate
  • Formal
3 8.8

To scold someone strongly for something they did wrong

is used more generally to show strong disapproval not only over acts
to give hell
vsto objurgate
  • Informal
1 8.1

To scold or punish someone angrily for something they did wrong

usually stresses active punishment or attack rather than mild disapproval
to vituperate
vsto objurgate
  • Offensive
9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is severe too but may be less personally abusive in tone
to reprobate
vsto objurgate
  • Literature
9.4

To say strongly that someone or something is wrong

is less formal and aimed at personal scolding rather than official condemnation

Antonyms

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

67 4.4

To praise someone or something for good work

How Harsh

to berate
36 7.2
to objurgate
  • Archaic
1 9.9
to reprimand
  • Formal
33 6.1
to reproach
8 6.5
to admonish
31 6.8

Surface Forms

objurgate infinitive
objurgated past
objurgated past participle
objurgating present participle
objurgates third person singular

Morphology

objurgate = ob + jurg + ate

Although the form shows the Latin prefix 'ob-' and the verb-forming '-ate', the root 'jurg' is not a productive or recognisable English base, so a B1 learner cannot derive the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Objurgate comes from the Latin parts ob- 'against' and jurgare 'to quarrel or scold'. So to objurgate someone is to speak very strongly against them — in other words, to scold them severely.