scolder
One who berates
A scolder is someone who scolds—who speaks sharply to criticize or rebuke.
The word usually implies habitual behavior rather than a single instance: His grandmother was a notorious scolder who found fault with everything.
Scolder carries old-fashioned overtones, evoking nagging wives or stern schoolmasters from earlier eras.
One who criticizes constantly
- nitpickerOne who criticizes trivial details
- carperHabitual faultfinder
- complainerOne who voices dissatisfaction
- naggerHabitual pestering person
caviler · grouch · grumbler · kvetch · crank · malcontent · shrew · termagant
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
lecture · tongue-lash · nag · harangue · rant · tirade · dressing-down · telling-off
Strict enforcer of rules
- taskmasterStrict work supervisor
- martinetHarsh enforcer of discipline
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
overbearing · authoritarian · controlling · demanding · exacting · uncompromising · hard-nosed · no-nonsense
Female parent
- fatherMale parent
- parentMother or father
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- grandmotherMother of a parent
grandfather · elder · matriarch · patriarch · caregiver · disciplining · correcting · admonishing
faultfinder
One who criticizes constantly
- nitpickerOne who criticizes trivial details
- carperHabitual faultfinder
- complainerOne who voices dissatisfaction
nagger · caviler · grouch · grumbler · kvetch · crank · malcontent · shrew · termagant · harridan
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
reproach · lecture · tongue-lash · nag · harangue · rant · tirade · dressing-down · telling-off · earful
disciplinarian
Strict enforcer of rules
- taskmasterStrict work supervisor
- martinetHarsh enforcer of discipline
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
domineering · overbearing · authoritarian · controlling · demanding · exacting · uncompromising · hard-nosed · no-nonsense · iron-fisted
mother
Female parent
grandmother · grandfather · elder · matriarch · patriarch · caregiver · disciplining · correcting · admonishing · disapproving
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
biting · abrasive · cutting · acerbic · gruff · curt · brusque · irritable · irascible · quick-tempered
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- tormentorstormentor, tormenter, torturer, torturers, persecutor