upbraid
Americanverb (used with object)
-
upbraids,
present (3rd person singular)
-
upbraided,
past participle, past
-
upbraiding
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
upbraids,
present (3rd person singular)
-
upbraided,
past participle, past
-
upbraiding
present participle
verb
-
to reprove or reproach angrily
-
to find fault with
Synonym Usage
See reprimand.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
upbraidsimple
-
upbraidssimple
-
have upbraidedperfect
-
has upbraidedperfect
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am upbraidingprogressive
-
are upbraidingprogressive
-
is upbraidingprogressive
-
have been upbraidingperfect progressive
-
has been upbraidingperfect progressive
Past
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upbraidedsimple
-
had upbraidedperfect
-
was upbraidingprogressive
-
were upbraidingprogressive
-
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.
See Examples For:
Though he takes a minute to upbraid her, they’re obviously the show’s binary system, and Decker is in any case a cheery sort who takes things in stride — even prison, seemingly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026
Since then she has continued to upbraid Mr Trump.
From BBC ● May 11, 2021
It’s understandable to have complicated needs and feelings even in the wake of great grief, and I don’t want you to upbraid yourself when you already feel a sense of guilt.
From Slate ● Jun. 1, 2020
And, most judges usually would upbraid opposing counsels if they addressed one another in similar fashion or used ad hominem language in the courtroom.
From Fox News ● Jan. 23, 2020
“The other Trojans upbraid me,” she said, “but always I had comfort from you through the gentleness of your spirit and your gentle words. You only were my friend.”
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
The question haunts “Remake” — he includes an indelible sequence from “Sherman’s March” in which his longtime friend Charleen upbraids him for always having the camera out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026
Wolfe upbraids all who attended, especially the rich and famous.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 28, 2018
Then, just as everyone else is growing more chatty and carefree, the princess abruptly remounts her high horse and upbraids a hapless guest for overfamiliarity.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 23, 2017
Whenever a late-night host upbraids a public figure in a monologue or a pundit bests another in a Twitter fight, onlookers crowd around to declare the loser DESTROYED! or EVISCERATED! or ETHERED! or ANNIHILATED!
From New York Times ● Mar. 28, 2017
But if the Manitou be deemed to have shown want of ability or inclination to defend him, he upbraids the guardian power with bitterness and contempt, and threatens to seek a more effectual protector.
From The Conquest of Canada (Vol. 1 of 2) by George Warburton
The Wall Street Journal reported that in the days before the decision Trump upbraided Makary for not moving quickly enough to approve flavored vapes and nicotine products.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
Decades later, he upbraided player auctions in the Indian Premier League, saying that he "just did not like players being treated like horses being sold to the highest bidder".
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2023
The University of Colorado’s new head coach upbraided some of his players Wednesdsay — not for fighting, but for not fighting.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2023
Superior Court Judge William F. Fahey upbraided Adams for repeatedly racking up more in fees than the judge had authorized.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2023
“Now look what you’ve done,” Lawrence upbraided him.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Mr. Johnson recounts upbraiding Jobs at one point after the CEO swore at and insulted his retail team during a meeting; he made his outspoken boss promise never to do it again.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
That sort of upbraiding from a judge before trial has even begun should chill any trial lawyer to the bone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2024
"An actual upbraiding from the court for the Trump Org."
From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2022
Kimura, who was introduced as a fun-loving jokester, attracted increased negative attention online after upbraiding a housemate for ruining one of her wrestling costumes.
From Reuters ● Jun. 2, 2020
It was not until he had blundered and crashed along his way for some time, wildly upbraiding himself, that he calmed down with the realization that he was well and truly lost.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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