chide

verb

ˈchīd How to pronounce chide (audio)
Definition of chidenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Newsom had declined to include new funding in his spending plans and chided local leaders for ever-present homeless encampments on city streets. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025 Bannon also chided Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for trying to present strikes with Iran as consistent with ‘America First’ values during a recent interview with a United States broadcaster. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 19 June 2025 Many Russian military bloggers chided the military for its failure to build protective shields for the bombers despite previous attacks, but the large size of the planes makes that challenging. —Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025 Supreme questions Boise developer, district, homeowners After chiding both sides for using confidential information from an accidental email in their arguments, the Supreme Court justices grilled lawyers representing the homeowners, the city and Barber Valley Development. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for chide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide
  1. admonish
  2. scold
  3. reprimand
  4. criticize
  5. blame
Verb
  • The back-to-back performances came after Ware’s effort was admonished by coach Erik Spoelstra at a Saturday practice.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • He was admonished once by the judge for nodding enthusiastically toward jurors during a successful stretch of cross-examination by one of his lawyers.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Definition of admonish
Verb
  • Whether this comes off as a joke or as an invitation for scolding (spoken or unspoken, loving or otherwise) depends entirely on the other Muslims in the room.
    — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
  • But there was a time Emily Deschanel, who played the meticulous forensic anthropologist through 12 seasons of Bones, got scolded for being just that — and the memory still makes the star emotional.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of scold
Verb
  • The responding officer later reprimanded the woman for entering the vehicle to help the dog.
    — Sydney Sasser July 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025
  • Some judges are known to reprimand attorneys who miss deadlines and even sanction them.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Many airlines have long relied on aging computer systems, and the aviation industry has been criticized for failing to modernize swiftly.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 July 2025
  • McKinney ruffled some feathers by publicly criticizing former Giants’ defensive coordinator Wink Martindale in his final season with the Giants.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump doubled down on his past criticism and blamed Biden for Powell remaining in the role.
    — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The current president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group, blamed it for unrest in the country and imprisoned many of its leaders.
    — Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
Definition of blame

Browse Nearby Words

chid
chide
chides
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Cite this Entry

“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chide. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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