SCOLD Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'scold' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scold are berate , rail , revile , upbraid , and vituperate . While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly. // angrily scolding the children

Q: When would 'berate' be a good substitute for 'scold'?

The meanings of berate and scold largely overlap; however, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding. // berated continually by an overbearing boss

Q: When can 'rail' be used instead of 'scold'?

The words rail and scold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rail ( at or against ) stresses an unrestrained berating. // railed loudly at their insolence

Q: When is 'revile' a more appropriate choice than 'scold'?

The synonyms revile and scold are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. // an alleged killer reviled in the press

Q: When could 'upbraid' be used to replace 'scold'?

While the synonyms upbraid and scold are close in meaning, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds. // upbraided her assistants for poor research

Q: Where would 'vituperate' be a reasonable alternative to 'scold'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scold , vituperate suggests a violent reviling. // was vituperated for betraying his friends

scold 1 of 2

verb

ˈskōld

Definition of scold

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scold

2 of 2

noun

as in faultfinder

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How does the verb scold differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scold are berate, rail, revile, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When would berate be a good substitute for scold?

The meanings of berate and scold largely overlap; however, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When can rail be used instead of scold?

The words rail and scold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When is revile a more appropriate choice than scold?

The synonyms revile and scold are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When could upbraid be used to replace scold?

While the synonyms upbraid and scold are close in meaning, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

Where would vituperate be a reasonable alternative to scold?

While in some cases nearly identical to scold, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

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 scold

Verb

Justice Barrett actually sounded kind of sharp, almost scolding, in the opinion in her criticism of the assertions made by the plaintiffs and some of the justices in the minority. — John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Noun

Bozell, who plays a media scold on television, has written a book that despite its subtitle is neither dogmatic nor even thematic. — Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 6 Jan. 2022 His showdowns with the head of the local diocese, played as a puckish scold by Malcolm McDowell, are some of the best in the film. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2022 See All Example Sentences for scold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scold

Verb

Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Wimbledon fashion is also something that can get patrons in trouble, with Andy Samberg saying he was reprimanded for wearing black jeans in the Royal Box.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of reprimand

Noun

Early reactions dropped Monday, and while these are always to be taken with a grain of salt, the superlatives are flying from the keyboards of fanboys and film critics alike.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Yang was investigated as part of President Xi Jinping ’s decade-long anti-corruption campaign that critics say has been used partly to remove his political rivals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of critic

Verb

For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Last month, his ally Uthmeier declined to criticize the state party’s decision to limit the debate.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of criticize

Noun

In addition to Brecht’s typical didacticism, there is a haunting passage for a fishwife whose son died in one of Lucullus’s campaigns.

— Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2020
An old fishwife sees a lobster try to escape and whacks it back in with her net.

— Casey Quackenbush / Hong Kong, Time, 12 July 2018

Definition of fishwife

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scold

scolded

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“Scold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scold. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scold

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