Synonyms of take to task

take to task

phrase

1

as in criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

He took his rival to task during the TV interview.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criticize
• blame
• fault
• knock
• condemn
• denounce
• find fault (with)
• attack
• diss
• pan
• come down hard (on)
• slam
• scold
• kick
• censure
• tweak
• slag
• complain
• slash
• dispraise
• blast
• lash
• dis
• snipe (at)
• nick (at)
• reprehend
• bitch
• admonish
• beef
• skewer
• grumble
• whine
• assail
• murmur
• mutter
• grouse
• quibble
• moan
• reprimand
• discommend
• growl
• crab
• disparage
• chide
• cavil
• clobber
• crucify
• rebuke
• carp
• berate
• gripe
• reproach
• put down
• deride
• upbraid
• hammer
• decry
• gibbet
• belittle
• niggle
• keelhaul
• pillory
• lambast
• kvetch
• croak
• flay
• bellyache
• reprove
• excoriate
• fuss
• castigate
• bad-mouth
• drub
• lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• extol
• approve
• recommend
• extoll
• commend
• sanction
• laud
• endorse
• indorse

2

as in scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• lecture
• reprimand
• rail (at or against)
• criticize
• blame
• rant (at)
• call down
• lay into
• chew out
• bawl out
• ream (out)
• dress down
• rag
• read the riot act (to)
• fault
• rate
• berate
• attack
• chastise
• admonish
• upbraid
• jaw
• rebuke
• keelhaul
• lambast
• mock
• flay
• reproach
• score
• tongue-lash
• hammer
• baste
• lambaste
• remonstrate (with)
• castigate
• diss
• chide
• knock
• pan
• blast
• condemn
• revile
• lace (into)
• abuse
• disparage
• slam
• crucify
• lash
• harangue
• scourge
• denounce
• excoriate
• assail
• censure
• ridicule
• reprove
• put down
• scoff
• belittle
• bad-mouth
• vituperate
• reprehend
• dis
• scorn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• sanction
• endorse
• indorse
• praise
• extol
• laud
• extoll