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

Back in the big orange room, LaRoche chides them for paying Sam a visit without him and blows off the suggestion that McGee might be able to use his pull in the publishing world to get his hands on a full copy of Sam’s manuscript. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024

President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday night chided President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, asking if those prosecuted for rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 would also get a pass. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 2 Dec. 2024

By Jonathan Easley © Kris Connor, Wire Image Democrats chide Biden for pardoning son Hunter DEMOCRATS ARE REELING after President Biden’s move to pardon his son Hunter Biden sent shockwaves across Washington and beyond. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024

Popular on Variety To the narrative’s detriment, the film doesn’t stray far from the safe confines of outdated formulas, wherein a city dweller finds love in a small town and workaholics are chided for choosing a career over love. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

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

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