upbraided
Gave a lecture
Upbraided is the past tense of upbraid, meaning to scold or criticize sharply.
The word carries a sense of moral reproach—you upbraid someone for a failing or wrongdoing: She upbraided him for his carelessness, The manager upbraided the team after the loss.
It's more formal than "told off" but less severe than "excoriated."
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- chideRebuke mildly
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
castigate · denounce · condemn · scold · chastise · reproached · rebuked · taken to task
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
berate · castigate · denounce · condemn · scold · chastise · reproached · rebuked · taken to task · called out
lambaste
Scold with ferocity
- excoriateSeverely criticize or censure
- bawl outScold someone harshly
- tongue-lashScold someone severely
harangue · vilify · flay · lash out · read the riot act · tear into · blast · savage · assail · pillory
correct
Free from error
advise · remind · guide · nudge · urge · encourage · entreat · implore · exhort · beseech