lambast

Verbally tear apart

Lambast means to criticize harshly or beat severely.

The word usually appears in its figurative sense—a scathing verbal attack: The senator lambasted her opponent's voting record.

Also spelled lambaste.

The physical sense of thrashing someone is older but now rare.

criticism

criticize

Judge unfavorably, vocally

condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
censureFormal institutional disapproval

castigate · excoriate · flay · blast · slam · attack · assail · decry · fulminate · vituperate

rebuke

rebuke

Express sharp disapproval

chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
admonishReprove with counsel

reproach · upbraid · scold · chide · berate · dress down · tell off · take to task · lecture · harangue

mockery

ridicule

Contemptuous mocking treatment

mockScornful imitation or fake
derideMock with contempt
scornHostile dismissive feeling

taunt · jeer · sneer · belittle · disparage · denigrate · humiliate · lampoon · satirize · parody

Opposites

CRITICISM vs. PRAISE

lambastpraise

Expression of approval

acclaim · laud · extol · celebrate · commend

ATTACK vs. DEFENSE/PROTECTION

lambastdefend

Protect from harm

support · champion · stand up for · vindicate · shield

harshness of feedback

lambastencourage

Urge forward with support

support · reassure · comfort · nurture · coddle

Family

lambaste, lambasting, lambasted, lambasts, lambastes, lambasters, lambaster

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G