chide

verb

ˈchīd 

chid ˈchid  or chided ˈchī-dəd  ; chid or chidden ˈchi-dᵊn  or chided; chiding ˈchī-diŋ 

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.

Synonyms

• admonish
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• reprove
• tick off

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

The vice president chided Denmark for its shabby treatment of Greenlanders, saying that only the United States would protect them. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 1 May 2025

In the season première, a cynical Joel chided Jackson’s mayor, Maria (Rutina Wesley), who happens to be his sister-in-law, for straining the town’s limited resources by welcoming strangers with open arms. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025

After the space mission, other celebrities — among them Emily Ratajkowski, Olivia Wilde, and Olivia Munn — also chided the female crew, which included journalist Gayle King, journalist (and Bezos’ fiancée) Lauren Sánchez, and NASA scientist Aisha Bowe. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025

Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS 'PEAK DEMOCRATIC PARTY' – Bernie Sanders chided for railing against 'billionaire class' at high-dollar music festival. —FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for chide

• bide
• bride
• cried
• died
• dried
• dyed
• eid
• eide
• eyed
• flied
• fried
• glide

Kids Definition

chide

verb

ˈchīd 

chid ˈchid  or chided ˈchīd-əd  ; chid or chidden ˈchid-ᵊn  or chided; chiding ˈchīd-iŋ 

: to express mild disapproval of