chides
Expresses mild disapproval
Chides is the present tense of chide, meaning to scold or express disapproval, usually in a mild or corrective way rather than harsh anger.
A parent chides a child for forgetting chores; a teacher chides students for not doing the reading.
The tone is often more disappointed than furious: She chides him gently for being late again.
reproof
Harshly criticizes aloud
- rebukesCriticizes sharply for wrongdoing
- reprimandsFormal expressions of disapproval
- admonishesWarns or rebukes mildly
- reproachesCritical words of blame
berates · upbraids · criticizes · censures · chastises · reproves · lectures · castigates
scolds
Harshly criticizes aloud
- rebukesCriticizes sharply for wrongdoing
- reprimandsFormal expressions of disapproval
- admonishesWarns or rebukes mildly
reproaches · berates · upbraids · criticizes · censures · chastises · reproves · lectures · castigates · denounces
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown