Thesaurus results for RAIL

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

Some common synonyms of rail are berate , revile , scold , upbraid , and vituperate . While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," rail ( at or against ) stresses an unrestrained berating. // railed loudly at their insolence

Q: When could 'berate' be used to replace 'rail'?

In some situations, the words berate and rail are roughly equivalent. However, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding. // berated continually by an overbearing boss

Q: When is it sensible to use 'revile' instead of 'rail'?

While the synonyms revile and rail are close in meaning, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. // an alleged killer reviled in the press

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

The words scold and rail can be used in similar contexts, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly. // angrily scolding the children

Q: When would 'upbraid' be a good substitute for 'rail'?

The words upbraid and rail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds. // upbraided her assistants for poor research

Q: In what contexts can 'vituperate' take the place of 'rail'?

The synonyms vituperate and rail are sometimes interchangeable, but vituperate suggests a violent reviling. // was vituperated for betraying his friends

rail 1 of 2

noun

ˈrāl

Definition of rail next

as in railing

a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in road

a roadway overlaid with parallel steel rails over which trains travel an abandoned stretch of rail that was overgrown with brush

Synonyms & Similar Words

rail

2 of 2

verb

as in to rant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rail differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rail are berate, revile, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When could berate be used to replace rail?

In some situations, the words berate and rail are roughly equivalent. However, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is it sensible to use revile instead of rail?

While the synonyms revile and rail are close in meaning, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is scold a more appropriate choice than rail?

The words scold and rail can be used in similar contexts, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When would upbraid be a good substitute for rail?

The words upbraid and rail are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

In what contexts can vituperate take the place of rail?

The synonyms vituperate and rail are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 rail

Noun

Context: Although bus doesn't garner as much attention as rail, it's more broadly used and widespread. —

Alexandria Sands, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025 The mass is given an infinitesimal push, parallel to the rail. —

Kevin Roose, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

While Simeone railed against the decision — which came after a VAR review — Alonso used the break to offer more instructions to several of his players. —

Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 In his previous administration, Mr. Trump railed against efforts to teach children about slavery and his conservative allies supported the movement to remove books about race and gender from school libraries. —

Erica L. Green, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rail

Noun

Now Dani was leaning over the railing, staring out at the vast sea—the sea that would remain the sea forever, no matter what any boy did.

— Sheila Heti, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
Outside the windows of upper floors are balconies formed from ornate iron railings with traditional black steel stairways connecting them to the storey above.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025