to harangue

Examples

• All

• Clerics would harangue them for hours on end, working in shifts so as to deprive them of sleep.

  Academic text (1992)

• "You could not pass through the student union without being accosted, harangued, and leafleted by partisans from SDS to Campus Crusade for Christ.

  Fiction book (2002)

• "You might harangue someone to death, but that would be suicide if they stayed to listen."

  Fiction book (1998)

• The smaller man seemed to be haranguing the larger, who ignored him.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Rather than help things get better, some people simply criticize, harangue, worry, and nip away.

  Blog text (18)

• In the case of GPC, Jerry became fearful when analysts began to harangue him about the lack of growth.

  Fiction book (2002)

• I try to explain, but she harangues me and cries out to the crowd, "Who would steal an old woman's Bible?"

  Fiction book (1998)

• Bobby gestures to the vanishing delegation, now being harangued by the press.

  Fiction book (2000)

• As we waited with a group of journalists... the police brought a man out through the cordon... and he began to harangue us with conspiracy theories of all kinds.

  London (1994)

• The coach began to harangue the players about their lack of effort during the match.

Synonyms

I

to insult

vsto harangue

• Offensive

543 2.1

To say or do something rude to someone

is a longer, forceful critical speech rather than a short disrespectful remark

Y

to yell at

vsto harangue

379 1.4

Shout in an angry voice at someone

is a longer critical speech with emotional content rather than a loud short outburst

A

to abuse

vsto harangue

• Offensive

95 4.2

To say rude or insulting words to someone to hurt them

is a more extended, critical, and emotional address rather than mere offensive words

S

to scold

vsto harangue

55 2.2

Speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong

is a more prolonged and public emotional address rather than a short reprimand

B

to berate

vsto harangue

36 7.2

Scold someone angrily and severely

is a longer, forceful, emotional spoken attack rather than a brief reproach

A

to assault

vsto harangue

29 5.8

To attack someone strongly in speech or writing

focuses on delivering a long, forceful spoken criticism rather than written attack

R

to rebuke

vsto harangue

• Formal

26 6.9

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

is usually a longer forceful speech with strong emotion rather than a brief censure

U

to upbraid

vsto harangue

• Formal

3 8.8

To scold someone strongly for something they did wrong

is more sustained and emotional, not only a formal severe reproach

R

to read the riot act

vsto harangue

• Informal

1 7.9

To scold someone strongly and warn them of punishment

is a long, emotional denunciation rather than a formal warning with consequences

C

to call down

vsto harangue

• Informal

1 6.8

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is a longer, emotional public speech rather than a quick harsh reproach

V

to vituperate

vsto harangue

• Offensive

9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is more a long, forceful, emotional public speech than a short attack

B

to bawl out

vsto harangue

• Informal

6.7

Shout loudly at someone because they did something wrong

is an extended, emotional verbal attack rather than a loud brief reprimand

C

to chap someone's hide

vsto harangue

• Informal

9.3

To scold someone angrily for something they did

is a longer, forceful public speech rather than a private severe reprimand

G

to get on someone's grill

vsto harangue

• Slang

9.9

To tell someone angrily that you do not like what they did

is more of a sustained emotional lecture rather than a quick aggressive confrontation

B

to bullyrag

vsto harangue

• Offensive

9.9

To frighten or shout at someone to make them do what you want

is a public, often long emotional attack rather than private persistent bullying

B

to ballyrag

vsto harangue

• Archaic

9.9

Make someone feel bad by bossing or bullying them

is a sustained, forceful emotional speech rather than ongoing bossy harassment

Antonyms

E

to encourage

∞ 2.3

Give someone support and confidence so they try or keep doing something

C

compliment

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

How Forceful

to harangue

7 8.9

to berate

36 7.2

to criticize

701 3.3

to address

• Formal

236 4.4

to speak

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology