objurgate
Severely dress down
To objurgate is to scold or rebuke harshly—a formal, almost archaic word for severe verbal criticism.
The senator objurgated his colleagues for their cowardice.
The word carries a tone of moral condemnation, suggesting the speaker occupies higher ground than the target of their censure.
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- castigateReprimand severely
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
reproach · berate · censure · reprove · chide · lambaste · excoriate · vituperate
Criticize severely and lengthily
- tongue-lashScold someone severely
- bawl outScold someone harshly
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
dress down · tell off · give an earful · lash out · tear into · lay into · chew out · blast
Bitter, prolonged verbal attack
- rantAngry prolonged outburst
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- philippicBitter accusatory speech
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
polemic · fulmination · denunciation · broadside · verbal assault · tongue-lashing · berating · excoriation
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
upbraid · reproach · berate · censure · reprove · chide · lambaste · excoriate · vituperate · fulminate
berate
Criticize severely and lengthily
- tongue-lashScold someone severely
- bawl outScold someone harshly
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
lecture · dress down · tell off · give an earful · lash out · tear into · lay into · chew out · blast · rip into
diatribe
Bitter, prolonged verbal attack
invective · polemic · fulmination · denunciation · broadside · verbal assault · tongue-lashing · berating · excoriation · lambasting
vilify
Attack someone's reputation
defame · besmirch · slander · calumniate · bad-mouth · run down · tear apart · disparage