Synonyms of upbraid

upbraid

verb

ˌəp-ˈbrād 

as in to scold

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

his wife upbraided him for his irresponsible handling of the family finances

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb upbraid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of upbraid are berate, rail, revile, scold, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When might berate be a better fit than upbraid?

Although the words berate and upbraid have much in common, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When would rail be a good substitute for upbraid?

The words rail and upbraid can be used in similar contexts, but rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

Where would revile be a reasonable alternative to upbraid?

The synonyms revile and upbraid are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is it sensible to use scold instead of upbraid?

While in some cases nearly identical to upbraid, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can vituperate be used instead of upbraid?

The words vituperate and upbraid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upbraid

Some sources point to friction with Soon-Shiong’s 30-year-old daughter, Nika Soon-Shiong, who in recent years has apparently appointed herself the paper’s unofficial ombudsman, publicly upbraiding journalists when their politics don’t fall in line with her own progressive thinking. —Jason McGahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2024

When audio leaked in late 2020 of Cruise upbraiding Mission: Impossible crew members for not following pandemic protocols, the overall reaction was less shock, more awe. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2023

International institutions have repeatedly upbraided Italy on this front. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 14 July 2023

In a scathing November 2020 ruling, L.A. Superior Court Judge William F. Fahey upbraided Adams for repeatedly racking up more in fees than the judge had authorized. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!