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View synonyms for scold

scold

[ skohld ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to find fault with angrily; chide; reprimand:

    The teacher scolded me for being late.

    Synonyms: censure, reprove

    Antonyms: praise



verb (used without object)

  1. to find fault; reprove.
  2. to use abusive language.

noun

  1. a person who is constantly scolding, often with loud and abusive speech.

scold

/ skəʊld /

verb

  1. to find fault with or reprimand (a person) harshly; chide
  2. intr to use harsh or abusive language
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person, esp a woman, who constantly finds fault
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈscoldingly, adverb
  • ˈscolder, noun
  • ˈscolding, noun
  • ˈscoldable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • scolda·ble adjective
  • scolder noun
  • scolding·ly adverb
  • outscold verb (used with object)
  • un·scolded adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scold1

First recorded in 1150–1200; (noun) Middle English, variant of scald, from Old Norse skald “poet” (as author of insulting poems); skald; (verb) Middle English scolden, derivative of the noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scold1

C13: from Old Norse skald
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

On the "Pod Save America" channel, hosts argued that Democrats should not be "scolds" who "get up in arms about conspiracy theories if they're not damaging."

From Salon

I cursed at my phone, and a parent scolded me, gesturing at the youth competition team.

She didn’t scold me, belittle me or force me to pick sides.

From Salon

Barack Obama scolded that some men “aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”

From BBC

The long-standing lingerie brand has been publicly scolded for its lack of body inclusivity, for being out of touch with the times and for alleged abusive behavior towards its models.

From Salon

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More About Scold

What does scold mean?

Scold means to angrily or harshly tell someone that they’ve said or done something you think is wrong, often with the intent of making them feel bad about it so that they don’t do it again

A person may scold both other people and animals when they do something wrong. When it comes to people, it is often adults scolding children.

The noun scold refers to a person who frequently judges other people or points out their faults. This sense of the word is almost always used negatively to imply that such a person scolds too much or is often angry.

Example: My dad scolded my dog after it chewed up the couch.

Where does scold come from?

The first records of scold come from about 1150. It was used as both a noun and a verb (as scolden) in Middle English. It ultimately comes from the Old Norse word skald, “author of insulting poems.”

Odds are good that at some point in your life, you were scolded by your parents or a teacher when you misbehaved. When a person scolds someone else, they are making it clear that they disapprove of what the person did by angrily lecturing or criticizing them. The goal is to embarrass or shame the person so they won’t repeat the behavior. For example, a school teacher is very likely to scold a bully if they catch them in the act.

The word scold is often used specifically to describe when an adult corrects the behavior of a child or pet.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to scold?

  • scoldable (adjective)
  • scolder (noun)
  • scolding (noun)
  • scoldingly (adverb)
  • outscold (verb)

What are some synonyms for scold?

What are some words that share a root or word element with scold

What are some words that often get used in discussing scold?

How is scold used in real life?

Scold is particularly used when parents or teachers are criticizing a person. The noun form is almost always used negatively.

 

 

Try using scold!

Is scold used correctly in the following sentence?

My coach was so happy with my impressive performance that he scolded me in front of the team.

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