KEELHAUL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

keelhaul

verb

ˈkēl-ˌhȯl

Definition of keelhaul

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings there's no need to keelhaul him—it was an honest mistake, and a small one at that

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of keelhaul And other than a recession, which generally keelhauls buyback plans, don’t expect companies to ease off their repurchases. — Larry Light, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2019 To hell with a class action suit, these people should have been keelhauled under the Staten Island Ferry for a year. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 25 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for keelhaul

Verb

Remake includes footage of Adrian urging his father to consider Carr’s offer, and gently scolding him for having passed up certain opportunities to make money—money that would have made the family's life better—off his filmmaking acumen.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
In February, a California judge reportedly scolded Meta’s own lawyers for wearing the smart glasses in court.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Definition of 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