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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scold
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2022
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
David Goldman, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
She would be scolded and wanted to protect her sister.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scold
Verb
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
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
Noun
Trump has publicly scolded Massie for his opposition.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
She would be scolded and wanted to protect her sister.
—Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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
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Some judges are known to reprimand attorneys who miss deadlines and even sanction them.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Gavin could learn something to benefit Californians rather than lecturing Americans 3,000 miles away.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Lincoln Mitchell, a political strategy and campaign specialist who lectures at Columbia University, to understand what Mamdani’s primary win might indicate about the direction of national politics.—
Lincoln Mitchell,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Florida airports soon must submit monthly reports on weather modification activities or face the loss of state funding under a controversial new law derided by critics as fueling conspiracy theories.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 July 2025
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The film’s opening day Friday was the second-largest of the year—grossing $56.5 million, ahead of Disney’s Lilo and Stitch but just behind A Minecraft Movie— despite some pushback over the movie from right-wing critics.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated the Ukrainian president in front of the media.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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That Hartig berated some court workers with false accusations about mismanaging drug court funds.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The three chastised her for contacting Uthmeier without holding a special meeting or consulting with the other commissioners.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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Councilmember Rodriguez chastised both Park and Soto-Martínez.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scold. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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