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 next

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

The president himself scolded a New York Times reporter for asking about the cost and whether Amazon was seeking to get in his good graces. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026 Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past. —

Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026

Noun

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 When Roger Goodell suspended Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least one full season for betting on NFL games, the commissioner was very careful with the wording of his official scold. —

Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2022 See All Example Sentences for scold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scold

Verb

Several told the Herald they were reprimanded for speaking to the media to promote the cultural events being hosted by the center.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Following the meeting, Green was reprimanded by a captain for failing to review the video with the officers.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026

Definition of reprimand

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scoffs (at)

scold

scolded

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“Scold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scold. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 10 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of scold

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