scolding

Examples

• All

• Yes, I'll give a good scolding to the little rascal.

  The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

• Teachers often resort to scolding and threats to motivate students.

  Academic text (2008)

• So the judge gave him a big scolding and community service, but nothing ever happened to that.

  Rich Roll

• My father was brought into it, and the scolding went on at length.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Please give him a good scolding!

  The Visit (2023)

• Stay where you are and take your scolding.

  Intermission (2003)

• Do you think I'll go away just because of a little scolding?

  Fiction book (1992)

• Our story continues right after Lily returns to Mrs. Zinn and gets a good scolding for wandering off alone.

  Fiction book (1994)

• I need a scolding.

  Cass Timberlane (1947)

• When she stomped upstairs to demand quiet and to threaten eviction, he endured the scolding.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

E

earful

vsscolding

• Informal

5 6.5

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did wrong

is about angry reprimand generally, not only the shocking talk

T

tongue-lashing

vsscolding

• Informal

5 7.6

A strong angry talk that scolds someone for a mistake

is the angry rebuke idea without stressing forceful delivery

A

admonishment

vsscolding

4 7.0

A firm warning that tells someone to change their behavior

is angrier and harsher, focusing on rebuke rather than calm warning

C

chastisement

vsscolding

• Formal

3 7.2

A strong spoken scolding for a mistake

is angrier and harsher rather than corrective advice or mild scold

C

chiding

vsscolding

1 7.2

A talk that tells someone they did something wrong, often angrily

is angrier and focused specifically on blaming misbehavior

B

berating

vsscolding

1 6.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is a shorter angry reprimand rather than a prolonged attack

U

upbraiding

vsscolding

1 8.5

A harsh telling off given for a serious mistake

is similar but broader and used in everyday angry speech

D

dressing-down

vsscolding

• Informal

1 7.7

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is the angry spoken rebuke not limited to authority figures

T

talking to

vsscolding

• Informal

1 4.2

A serious scolding from someone like a parent or boss

is more angry and less about a controlled corrective talk

W

what for

vsscolding

• Informal

1 8.8

A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you

is the angry harsh rebuke aimed at wrongdoing or misbehavior

W

wigging

vsscolding

• UK

1 9.5

A strong scolding from someone in charge

is the angry harsh rebuke which can be any register or formality

B

bawling out

vsscolding

• Informal

7.6

A loud, angry talk that tells someone they made a mistake

is the angry rebuke that can be quieter or private

T

throatful

vsscolding

• Informal

9.8

A loud angry scolding for someone who did something wrong

is the angry spoken rebuke regardless of volume or shouting

K

keelhauling

vsscolding

9.9

A severe scolding given to someone for a serious mistake

is an angry reprimand but not necessarily an extreme punishment

S

snootful

vsscolding

• Informal

9.9

A strong scolding that tells someone they did wrong

is the angry rebuke idea without focusing on cutting language

O

objurgation

vsscolding

• Formal

9.9

A strong angry criticism that someone gives to another person

is the angry spoken rebuke aimed at personal misbehavior rather than moral argument

Antonyms

P

praise

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Harsh

tirade

25 7.7

dressing-down

• Informal

1 7.7

scolding

7 3.3

rebuke

22 6.8

admonition

17 7.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology