chide

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb chide contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chide are admonish, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

When might admonish be a better fit than chide?

Although the words admonish and chide have much in common, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When can rebuke be used instead of chide?

While the synonyms rebuke and chide are close in meaning, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

In what contexts can reprimand take the place of chide?

While in some cases nearly identical to chide, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

When could reprove be used to replace chide?

The meanings of reprove and chide largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of chide 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide
Verb
  • For the past several years, clips from the show have circulated on TikTok and X—with certain viewers admonishing Banks for some of her views about the modeling industry.
    Essence, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The judge also admonished state officials for refusing to make the new nitrogen hypoxia protocol publicly available.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Omari Hardwick scolded an interviewer who misquoted him in a seeming attempt to stir up drama between the actor and Power producer 50 Cent.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • On Wednesday, the couple jokingly addressed the awkward interview in which Hilaria scolded Alec for interrupting her during a red carpet moment that has since gone viral.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The controversy is intensifying, with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts having now publicly reprimanded the president after a social media post in which Trump called for the impeachment of Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. — the ...
    Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • At the time, the House of Representatives, with the Democrats holding the majority, voted to reprimand Wilson, who later issued an apology to Obama.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a 1907 essay, the writer Ito Sakon criticized the idea of escaping the hot urban summer, instead presenting the heat as an opportunity for self-improvement.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025
  • But McGregor faces an uphill task to get his name on the ballot as few Irish lawmakers share his vehement anti-immigrant views, and many publicly criticized him after the civil case last November.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Losing at home to Tennessee, even with a backup quarterback, and at home to Arizona cannot be blamed entirely on the front office.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Neighbors blame that for a host of health issues stemming from noise pollution caused by fans cooling the mine’s thousands of computers.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chide. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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