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chiding

chiding

1 7.2
A talk that tells someone they did something wrong, often angrily
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃaɪdɪŋ/
translation icon : reprimenda
  • She winced at the chiding he received for forgetting his lines during the play.
  • a gentle chiding
  • a chiding tone
  • a chiding voice

Examples

  • At this point, overbearing chiding is completely counterproductive.

    Blog text (25)
  • A mild chiding did seem in order.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • For once, his chiding voice brought comfort instead of humiliation.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • She put a fresh bandage on it and just gave me that chiding look of hers.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The chiding tone appeared very frequently in discussions of Proctor, but a New York Times editorial some five years later combined treatment of his stunning efforts with somber wonderment.

    Academic text (1999)
  • His constant chiding made her feel like she could never do anything right.

  • The teacher's chiding was intended to motivate the students, but it often had the opposite effect.

Synonyms

criticism
vschiding
512 3.0

Disapproval that points out faults

is more a personal spoken act of disapproval often aimed at correction
bashing
vschiding
  • NSFW
32 4.4

Harsh repeated criticism of a person or their ideas

is a single act of disapproval aimed at correction rather than attack
rebuke
vschiding
22 6.8

A strong comment that shows disapproval of someone's actions

is the general act, which may be less sharp in its expression
scolding
vschiding
7 3.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is the general act of showing disapproval, often harsh rather than angry
tongue-lashing
vschiding
  • Informal
5 7.6

A strong angry talk that scolds someone for a mistake

is often a shorter sharp word or less public expression of disapproval
admonishment
vschiding
4 7.0

A firm warning that tells someone to change their behavior

is often harsher and more directly disapproving than a warning
chastisement
vschiding
  • Formal
3 7.2

A strong spoken scolding for a mistake

is mainly about verbal disapproval rather than physical punishment
reproof
vschiding
2 7.1

A mild criticism that aims to correct someone

is usually harsher or more strongly disapproving than mild correction
berating
vschiding
1 6.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is an act of disapproval often harsh but not always meant to humiliate
upbraiding
vschiding
1 8.5

A harsh telling off given for a serious mistake

is the general act, which can be harsh but also milder
dressing down
vschiding
  • Informal
1 6.1

A severe scolding from someone in charge, often in front of other people

is the broader act, not limited to formal emphatic cases
what for
vschiding
  • Informal
1 8.8

A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you

is the broader act of expressing disapproval, not always immediate
wigging
vschiding
  • UK
1 9.5

A strong scolding from someone in charge

is the broader term used across styles, not only informal speech
objurgation
vschiding
  • Formal
9.9

A strong angry criticism that someone gives to another person

is the common act of showing disapproval used both formally and informally
keelhauling
vschiding
9.9

A severe scolding given to someone for a serious mistake

is about verbal disapproval, usually not physical harm

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Harsh

berating
1 6.3
rebuke
22 6.8
chiding
1 7.2
reprimand
  • Formal
24 6.1
reproof
2 7.1
admonition
17 7.4

Surface Forms

chiding singular
chidings plural

Morphology

chiding = chide (transparent) = chide + ing

Standard nominalization/gerund from the verb 'chide' forming 'the act of scolding', so the meaning is directly derived from the base verb.

Etymology

Chiding comes from the old English verb chide meaning 'to scold', with the ending -ing that turns it into an action. So a chiding is simply the act of scolding or telling someone they did wrong.