tongue-lashing
Harsh spoken reprimand
A tongue-lashing is a harsh verbal scolding or reprimand: She gave him a tongue-lashing for missing the deadline.
The image is of words striking like a whip.
The term suggests sustained, forceful criticism rather than a brief rebuke.
Formal expression of disapproval
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- admonishReprove with counsel
upbraid · castigate · censure · reproach · chide · lecture · harangue · lambaste
Trained self-control or specialty
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
enforcement · repercussion · admonishment · warning · ultimatum · sanction · supervisor · manager
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
admonish · upbraid · castigate · censure · reproach · chide · lecture · harangue · lambaste · denounce
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- consequencesResults of actions taken
accountability · enforcement · repercussion · admonishment · warning · ultimatum · sanction · supervisor · manager · parent
scathing
Severely and bitingly critical
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- vitriolicHarshly bitter and corrosive
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
severe · fierce · vehement · caustic · acerbic · biting · cutting · brutal · savage · merciless
demean
Lower in standing
humiliate · debase · mortify · shame · embarrass · disparage · diminish · put-down · tear-down · take-down
- rebukescold, reprimand, chide, admonish, berate
- reprimandsrebuke, reprimand, censure, admonition, scolding
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- tiradestirades, tirade, rants, rant, harangues
- verbal fightsargument, quarrel, dispute, confrontation, shouting match
- reproofsscolding, rebuke, reprimand, admonishment, admonition
tongue-lashingpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · accolades · applause · eulogy · tribute
tongue-lashingpep talk
Motivational speech
kind words · gentle encouragement · gentle words · sweet nothings · reassurance
language, tongue, tongue-tied, lashing, languish, linguist, bilingual, linguistics, mangling