Synonyms of takes to task

takes to task

phrase

present tense third-person singular of take to task

1

as in criticizes

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

He took his rival to task during the TV interview.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criticizes
• blames
• faults
• knocks
• condemns
• denounces
• finds fault (with)
• attacks
• comes down hard (on)
• tweaks
• reprehends
• dispraises
• pans
• slams
• scolds
• slags
• censures
• complains
• kicks
• slashes
• lashes
• blasts
• nicks (at)
• disses
• snipes (at)
• admonishes
• skewers
• grumbles
• murmurs
• mutters
• whines
• bitches
• clobbers
• assails
• quibbles
• moans
• growls
• niggles
• crabs
• discommends
• chides
• reprimands
• bellyaches
• grouses
• gripes
• disparages
• beefs
• keelhauls
• cavils
• upbraids
• lambasts
• crucifies
• berates
• excoriates
• rebukes
• derides
• kvetches
• decries
• carps
• gibbets
• flays
• puts down
• reproves
• belittles
• reproaches
• croaks
• bad-mouths
• hammers
• lambastes
• drubs
• pillories
• castigates
• fusses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in scolds

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

He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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