upbraid
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to reprove or reproach angrily
-
to find fault with
Synonym Usage
See reprimand.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have upbraidedperfect
-
has upbraidedperfect 3rd person singular
-
am upbraidingprogressive 1st person singular
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is upbraidingprogressive 3rd person singular
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upbraidssingular 3rd person
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are upbraidingprogressive
-
has been upbraidingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been upbraidingperfect progressive
-
upbraidingparticiple
Past
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had upbraidedperfect
-
were upbraidingprogressive plural
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upbraidedparticiple
-
was upbraidingprogressive singular
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upbraidedsimple
-
had been upbraidingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of upbraid
before 1000; Middle English; Old English upbrēdan to adduce as a fault. See up-, braid
Explanation
No, upbraid isn’t an elaborate hairdo. When you upbraid people, you scold them, tell them off, and criticize them. (You could, however, upbraid your stylist after a bad haircut.) The word upbraid comes from the Old English word upbregdan, which literally means "bring up quickly." Although this word doesn't have anything to do with hair, upbraid and braid are, in fact, related. The original meaning of braid was "to move quickly from side to side," which is what you do with your fingers when you're braiding someone's hair. When you upbraid someone, you're quickly bringing up different reasons why you're mad at them.
Vocabulary lists containing upbraid
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Upbraid me not, dearest Aas�!" replied Skirmen, dejectedly.
From The Childhood of King Erik Menved An Historical Romance by Ingemann, Bernhard Severin
When o'er death's ferry youth departs, Upbraid not his reluctant moan; Think of the loved and loving hearts He leaves, to cross the gulf alone.
From A Century of Emblems by Cautley, G. S.
Now whoso list accuse me, tell my wrongs, Upbraid me in the presence of this state.
From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 7 by Various
Ye faithful men whose crimson blood In her defence is shed, Upbraid her not if thus she weep Above the guilty dead!
From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No. 6, December 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various
Upbraid me not, ye beautiful dancers, when I chasten the little God somewhat!
From Thus Spake Zarathustra A book for all and none by Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
