chide

verb

chid ˈchid How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided ˈchī-dəd How to pronounce chide (audio) ; chid or chidden ˈchi-dᵊn How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided; chiding ˈchī-diŋ How to pronounce chide (audio)

intransitive verb

: to speak out in angry or displeased rebuke
is quick to chide against the mayor for his negligence

transitive verb

: to voice disapproval to : reproach in a usually mild and constructive manner : scold
She chided us for arriving late.
Choose the Right Synonym for chide

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely.

reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

Examples of chide in a Sentence

She chided us for arriving late. “You really should have been here on time,” she chided.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Furthermore, anyone not on the bandwagon is chided as being out of touch. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 In the chamber, the atmosphere for Tuesday’s speech was much more caustic this time around, not just for Trump, who chided Democrats for not getting on board and applauding him, and the opposition party, with many of the members booing and brandishing signs calling out the president and Elon Musk. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025 Adra chuckles, gently chiding his friend for his impatience and his need to effect change immediately. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025 Also Friday, at a meeting with governors in the White House, Trump stopped abruptly to chide Gov. Janet Mills of Maine for resisting his executive order barring transgender athletes from women’s sports. Maureen Dowd, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chide

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cīdan to quarrel, chide, from cīd strife

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of chide was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chide. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

chide

verb
chid ˈchid How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided ˈchīd-əd How to pronounce chide (audio) ; chid or chidden ˈchid-ᵊn How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided; chiding ˈchīd-iŋ How to pronounce chide (audio)
: to express mild disapproval of

More from Merriam-Webster on chide

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