scolds
Gives harsh words
Scolds is the third-person singular of scold, meaning to criticize or rebuke someone sharply, especially for a fault or mistake: She scolds him whenever he leaves dishes in the sink.
The word often implies a nagging or persistent quality to the criticism, and frequently describes how parents or authority figures address children or subordinates.
Criticize severely and lengthily
- admonishReprove with counsel
- chideRebuke mildly
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
castigate · reproach · lambaste · excoriate · reprimand · chastise · denounce · condemn
Persistently criticize a partner
- carpWhine about trivialities
- kvetchHabitual grumbler
- pesterAnnoy with persistence
- badgerNag persistently
hound · needle · harass · hassle · nitpick · complain · gripe · grumble
Formal expression of disapproval
- correctFree from error
- punishPenalize for wrongdoing
- penalizeImpose a disadvantage for wrongdoing
- warnGive notice of peril
caution · admonish · discipline · disapprove · call out · take to task · dress down
berate
Criticize severely and lengthily
censure · castigate · reproach · lambaste · excoriate · reprimand · chastise · denounce · condemn · lecture
henpeck
Persistently criticize a partner
badger · hound · needle · harass · hassle · nitpick · complain · gripe · grumble · whine
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
warn · caution · admonish · discipline · disapprove · call out · take to task · dress down
- punishespunishes, penalizes, disciplines, chastises, castigates
- animal soundsbark, meow, woof, moo, roar
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- reformersreformers, reformer, social reformers, social reformer, political reformer
- negativistspessimists, defeatists, doomers, doomsayers, negative Nellies
- nitpickersfaultfinders, sticklers, hairsplitters, pedants, quibblers