Synonyms of reads the riot act (to)

reads the riot act (to)

phrase

present tense third-person singular of read the riot act (to)

as in scolds

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

The officer read the riot act to her for speeding in a school zone.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolds
• lectures
• reprimands
• rails (at or against)
• rants (at)
• calls down
• dresses down
• reams (out)
• criticizes
• blames
• lays into
• rags
• bawls out
• chews out
• lambasts
• keelhauls
• takes to task
• jaws
• berates
• rates
• tongue-lashes
• upbraids
• scores
• reproaches
• chastises
• faults
• admonishes
• attacks
• bastes
• hammers
• lambastes
• rebukes
• mocks
• flays
• castigates
• remonstrates (with)
• reprehends
• pans
• laces (into)
• vituperates
• chides
• lashes
• slams
• crucifies
• condemns
• harangues
• reproves
• knocks
• denounces
• abuses
• reviles
• excoriates
• censures
• scourges
• blasts
• assails
• belittles
• puts down
• disparages
• ridicules
• bad-mouths
• scoffs
• scorns
• disses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sanctions
• approves
• endorses
• indorses
• praises
• extols
• lauds
• extolls