finger-wagging
Scolding hand motion
Finger-wagging is scolding or lecturing someone in a moralistic or self-righteous way, evoking the image of wagging a finger at a misbehaving child.
The term is usually dismissive—implying the criticism is unwelcome or sanctimonious: I'm tired of all the finger-wagging from politicians who've done the same things themselves.
Delivering moral discourse
- sermonizingLecturing on morals
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- pontificatingSpeaking pompously at length
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
sanctimonious · preachy · lecturing · hectoring · didactic · priggish · smug · grandstanding
Harsh verbal criticism
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- chidingVoicing mild disapproval
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
reproof · berating · upbraiding · castigation · correction · censure · telling-off · dressing-down
Making disapproving sounds
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- disdainScornful disregard
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- frownDisapproving facial expression
displeasure · contempt · derision · snubbing · scorn · criticism · denunciation · clucking
Mild verbal correction
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- forewarningNotice of future trouble
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- noticeBecome aware of
heads-up · counsel · advice · guidance · reminder · deterrent · threat · omen
Showing parental warmth
- fatherlyLike a male parent
- disciplinaryRelated to enforcing rules
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- protectiveServing to guard
corrective · scolding · concerned · caring · guiding · supervising · watchful · admonishing
Having recognized expertise
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
commanding · domineering · intimidating · disapproving · forbidding · unyielding · firm · uncompromising
preaching
Delivering moral discourse
- sermonizingLecturing on morals
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- pontificatingSpeaking pompously at length
holier-than-thou · sanctimonious · preachy · lecturing · hectoring · didactic · priggish · smug · grandstanding · virtue-signaling
scolding
Harsh verbal criticism
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- chidingVoicing mild disapproval
lecture · reproof · berating · upbraiding · castigation · correction · censure · telling-off · dressing-down · tongue-lashing
tut-tutting
Making disapproving sounds
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- disdainScornful disregard
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
frown · displeasure · contempt · derision · snubbing · scorn · criticism · denunciation · clucking · tsking
admonition
Mild verbal correction
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- forewarningNotice of future trouble
- alertWarning or watchfulness
notice · heads-up · counsel · advice · guidance · reminder · deterrent · threat · omen · prophetic
motherly
Showing parental warmth
- fatherlyLike a male parent
- disciplinaryRelated to enforcing rules
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
protective · corrective · scolding · concerned · caring · guiding · supervising · watchful · admonishing
authoritative
Having recognized expertise
imperious · commanding · domineering · intimidating · disapproving · forbidding · unyielding · firm · uncompromising · withering
- self-righteousnesssanctimony, self-righteousness, moralism, holier-than-thou, judgmentalism
- bossy traitsdomineering, overbearing, pushy, demanding, controlling
- hypocrisyhypocrisy, hypocrite, sanctimony, two-faced, self-righteousness
- reproofsscolding, rebuke, reprimand, admonishment, admonition
- preachingsermonizing, homiletics, altar call, scripture reading, closing prayer
finger-waggingthumbs-up
Gesture indicating approval
applause · praise · commendation · endorsement · pat on the back
finger-waggingtolerance
Willingness to accept difference
permissiveness · live-and-let-live · laissez-faire · acceptance · open-mindedness
finger-waggingencouragement
Support spurring continued effort
reassurance · support · empathy · warmth · understanding
finger, fingers, wagging, wagged, fingernail, waggle, fingered, waggish, fingering