CHIDE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'chide' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chide are admonish , rebuke , reprimand , reproach , and reprove . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

Q: When might 'admonish' be a better fit than 'chide'?

Although the words admonish and chide have much in common, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: When can 'rebuke' be used instead of 'chide'?

While the synonyms rebuke and chide are close in meaning, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: In what contexts can 'reprimand' take the place of 'chide'?

While in some cases nearly identical to chide , reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: When could 'reprove' be used to replace 'chide'?

The meanings of reprove and chide largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

chide

verb

ˈchīd

Definition of chide

as in to admonish

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my wife chided me for forgetting to offer our guests some refreshments

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How does the verb chide contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chide are admonish, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

When might admonish be a better fit than chide?

Although the words admonish and chide have much in common, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When can rebuke be used instead of chide?

While the synonyms rebuke and chide are close in meaning, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

In what contexts can reprimand take the place of chide?

While in some cases nearly identical to chide, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

When could reprove be used to replace chide?

The meanings of reprove and chide largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chide Another chided the holdout for being unable to move past the fact that Clancy killed her children. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026 Some friends chided me (which is fine) for posing with a liberal Zionist. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 Salazar, a fierce interrogator, chided him about leaving Rodríguez in charge. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 The back-and-forth prompted Steiner to send a letter denying Hawley’s claims and chiding him for a lack of civility. — Jack Harvel july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide

Verb

The move quickly drew widespread criticism and later a formal House resolution admonishing the four-term congressman.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
David’s view If Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Senate race next month, the Saturday clip of him admonishing a GOP activist about freedom of religion will achieve legendary status in his party.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

Mandell was later formally reprimanded for allowing another client’s hearing to be delayed by six years, during which time two witnesses died.

— Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026
The Denver school board censured director Monica Hunter on Thursday night, the third time in five years that the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district has publicly reprimanded a colleague.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

That set off the wave of youth protests that blamed the collapse on high-level corruption and cronyism during renovation work at the station.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Anything this pair does for the next several months that is not together will be scrutinized, dissected, interpreted, and ESPN can only blame itself.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

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chides

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“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chide. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of chide

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