lambaste
Tear into verbally
Lambaste means to criticize or scold someone harshly and at length.
If your boss lambastes you for missing a deadline, you're getting a severe verbal thrashing.
The word can also mean to beat or thrash physically, though this sense is less common today.
The critics lambasted the film for its weak plot.
She was lambasted in the press for her controversial remarks.
Formal expression of disapproval
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- admonishReprove with counsel
- reproachExpression of disappointment
scold · berate · chide · lecture · dress down · tell off · take to task · read the riot act
Reprimand severely
- excoriateSeverely criticize or censure
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
flay · blast · slam · pan · savage · pillory · trash · roast
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- admonishReprove with counsel
reproach · scold · berate · chide · lecture · dress down · tell off · take to task · read the riot act · tongue-lash
castigate
Reprimand severely
- excoriateSeverely criticize or censure
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
condemn · flay · blast · slam · pan · savage · pillory · trash · roast · hammer
revile
Condemn with bitter language
- vituperateCriticize with abusive language
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- malignAttack someone's reputation
denigrate · disparage · defame · smear · traduce · besmirch · slander · calumniate · impugn · asperse
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
roast · skewer · mock · scoff · jeer · taunt · parody · send up · tear into
- disparagementdefame, denigrate, disparage, malign, slander
- rebukescold, reprimand, chide, admonish, berate
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- judgmentsjudgment call, judge, moral judgment, criticize, value judgment
- outburstsoutburst, burst, eruption, tantrum, meltdown
lambastecoddle
Overindulge or poach gently
handle with kid gloves · sugarcoat · spare · pamper · soft-pedal
lambasting, lambasted, lambast, lambasts, lambastes, lambasters, lambaster