chide
Express mild disapproval
To chide is to scold or express disapproval, usually in a mild or corrective way rather than with real anger: She chided him for being late.
The word suggests gentle rebuke—a parent chiding a child, a friend chiding another for a bad habit.
It's somewhat literary; in everyday speech, people more often say scold or tell off.
Reprove with counsel
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
castigate · censure · lecture · chastise · remonstrate · lambaste · excoriate · tell off
Claim someone did wrong
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
- faultImperfection or blame
reproach · censure · call out · hold accountable · implicate · indict · arraign · incriminate
Making disapproving sounds
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- disfavorLack of approval
disdain · contempt · disapprobation · objection · faultfinding · clucking · side-eye · sniff
Free from error
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- set straightCorrect a misconception
- put rightCorrect an error
- call outPublicly confront or summon
take to task · pull up · check · chasten · straighten out · set right · bring to book · teach a lesson
admonish
Reprove with counsel
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
upbraid · castigate · censure · lecture · chastise · remonstrate · lambaste · excoriate · tell off · dress down
accuse
Claim someone did wrong
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
fault · reproach · censure · call out · hold accountable · implicate · indict · arraign · incriminate · finger-pointing
tut-tutting
Making disapproving sounds
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
disfavor · disdain · contempt · disapprobation · objection · faultfinding · clucking · side-eye · sniff · harrumph
correct
Free from error
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- set straightCorrect a misconception
- put rightCorrect an error
call out · take to task · pull up · check · chasten · straighten out · set right · bring to book · teach a lesson
caution
Careful attention to risk
remind · nudge · prompt · urge · encourage · coax · guide · steer · gentle reminder · friendly nudge
stern
Strict or ship's aft
firm · biting · cutting · acerbic · terse · curt · gruff · brusque · pointed · reproachful
- rebukereprimand, admonish, berate, upbraid, censure
- scoldingscolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand, nagging
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- judgmentsjudgment call, judge, moral judgment, criticize, value judgment
- discouraging actionsdeter, dissuade, daunt, dishearten, demoralize
- houndhound, pester, badger, harass, hassle