Synonyms of taking to task

taking to task

phrase

present participle of take to task

1

as in criticizing

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

• criticizing
• blaming
• knocking
• faulting
• denouncing
• finding fault (with)
• condemning
• coming down hard (on)
• attacking
• tweaking
• slamming
• panning
• dispraising
• slagging
• scolding
• reprehending
• kicking
• nicking (at)
• censuring
• sniping (at)
• slashing
• complaining
• lashing
• dissing
• blasting
• muttering
• whining
• admonishing
• murmuring
• assailing
• grumbling
• skewering
• moaning
• bitching
• cavilling
• niggling
• beefing
• growling
• clobbering
• chiding
• quibbling
• disparaging
• bellyaching
• kvetching
• putting down
• griping
• grousing
• reprimanding
• carping
• gibbeting
• crabbing
• caviling
• berating
• drubbing
• upbraiding
• belittling
• crucifying
• discommending
• deriding
• rebuking
• excoriating
• flaying
• reproaching
• pillorying
• reproving
• croaking
• hammering
• decrying
• keelhauling
• lambasting
• fussing
• castigating
• bad-mouthing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• extolling
• approving
• recommending
• endorsing
• commending
• sanctioning
• lauding
• indorsing

2

as in scolding

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

• scolding
• lecturing
• railing (at or against)
• ranting (at)
• reaming (out)
• reprimanding
• calling down
• dressing down
• blaming
• bawling out
• criticizing
• chewing out
• laying into
• reading the riot act (to)
• rating
• berating
• remonstrating (with)
• ragging
• attacking
• upbraiding
• admonishing
• basting
• mocking
• flaying
• chastising
• scoring
• tongue-lashing
• lacing (into)
• rebuking
• hammering
• jawing
• faulting
• reproaching
• lambasting
• keelhauling
• castigating
• chiding
• knocking
• slamming
• lashing
• vituperating
• disparaging
• condemning
• panning
• denouncing
• reviling
• putting down
• abusing
• blasting
• crucifying
• assailing
• haranguing
• reproving
• belittling
• scourging
• reprehending
• excoriating
• censuring
• ridiculing
• scoffing
• bad-mouthing
• scorning
• dissing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning
• indorsing
• praising
• extolling
• lauding