rebuke
Sternly express disapproval
To rebuke is to express sharp disapproval or criticism, typically from a position of authority: The judge rebuked the lawyer for wasting the court's time.
A rebuke is the criticism itself—stronger than a reprimand but usually verbal rather than formal punishment.
The word carries a sense of moral correction: Her mother's rebuke stung more than any punishment could have.
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
- scoldRebuke harshly
- chideRebuke mildly
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
upbraid · castigate · reproach · lecture · tongue-lash · tell off · take to task · dress down
Formal institutional disapproval
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- reprehendTo criticize severely
- animadversionHostile critical observation
opprobrium · disapprobation · stricture · admonishment · reproof · rebuff · remonstrance · criticism
Bitter, prolonged verbal attack
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- rantAngry prolonged outburst
- screedLong tedious rant
polemic · jeremiad · tongue-lashing · broadside · verbal assault · tirade · outburst · berating
Claim someone did wrong
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- faultImperfection or blame
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
- impugnAttack as false
indict · implicate · hold accountable · call to account · lay blame · find fault · take issue · charge
Strict or ship's aft
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
scathing · biting · stinging · withering · caustic · acerbic · pointed · blistering
Disapproving facial expression
- glareFierce stare or brightness
- scowlAngry facial expression
- glowerStare with displeasure
- disapproving lookFacial expression showing displeasure
cold stare · grimace · dirty look · side-eye · raised eyebrow · tut-tut · harrumph · sneer
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
berate · upbraid · castigate · reproach · lecture · tongue-lash · tell off · take to task · dress down · read the riot act
censure
Formal institutional disapproval
animadversion · opprobrium · disapprobation · stricture · admonishment · reproof · rebuff · remonstrance · criticism · excoriation
diatribe
Bitter, prolonged verbal attack
screed · polemic · jeremiad · tongue-lashing · broadside · verbal assault · tirade · outburst · berating · scolding
accuse
Claim someone did wrong
impugn · indict · implicate · hold accountable · call to account · lay blame · find fault · take issue · charge · arraign
stern
Strict or ship's aft
cutting · scathing · biting · stinging · withering · caustic · acerbic · pointed · blistering · searing
frown
Disapproving facial expression
disapproving look · cold stare · grimace · dirty look · side-eye · raised eyebrow · tut-tut · harrumph · sneer
- tiradestirades, tirade, rants, rant, harangues
- denunciationscondemnation, censure, reprimand, accusation, excoriation
- church disciplinecensure, reprimand, admonition, formal warning, defrocking
- Mussarmussar, character traits, ethical conduct, ethical behavior, self-improvement
- social interactiongreeting, hello, goodbye, hi, bye
- backlashbacklash, blowback, outcry, outrage, pushback