as in to rail (at or against)
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tell off
Deliverance is a game about being told off for sleeping in other people's beds.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
The West Coast rapper took to TikTok to share a 50 Cent meme where the Queens rapper was confused about being told off by Floyd Mayweather.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Two small feral-looking kids, ragged, both looked about seven years old, had been told off several times for knocking some of these flimsy chairs to one side as if to let the horse out.
—Ali Smith, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The text overlay reads: POV you're being told off at 24 and 27.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The Panathinaikos substitutes and coaches, arms locked on the touchline, were told off for encroaching onto the pitch.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
Despite being told off, the baubles remained too exciting.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Is Bissouma forgiven? Ange Postecoglou said on Friday that Yves Bissouma’s response to his suspension for his laughing gas misdemeanour had been like a punished child, whose behaviour is perfect for the two days after being told off.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 24 Aug. 2024
The crowd then roared with cheers when Kendrick told off the director.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
The West Coast rapper took to TikTok to share a 50 Cent meme where the Queens rapper was confused about being told off by Floyd Mayweather.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Two small feral-looking kids, ragged, both looked about seven years old, had been told off several times for knocking some of these flimsy chairs to one side as if to let the horse out.
—Ali Smith, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The text overlay reads: POV you're being told off at 24 and 27.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The Panathinaikos substitutes and coaches, arms locked on the touchline, were told off for encroaching onto the pitch.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
Despite being told off, the baubles remained too exciting.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Is Bissouma forgiven? Ange Postecoglou said on Friday that Yves Bissouma’s response to his suspension for his laughing gas misdemeanour had been like a punished child, whose behaviour is perfect for the two days after being told off.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 24 Aug. 2024
The crowd then roared with cheers when Kendrick told off the director.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell off
Verb
-
Popular freezer hacks include saving Parmesan rinds to deepen the flavor of soups, cutting up loaves of bread for toast, and even storing homemade jam without all the mess of canning.—
Meghan McCarron,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
By sector, technology suffered the worst, with job cuts up 128 percent on-month to 7,488, followed by automotive (123 percent), services (106 percent), retail (96 percent), and media and news (27 percent).—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
12 Feb. 2025
-
There’s also a story line of Harper being chewed out by Petra when Petra finds out how Harper actually got the information necessary to short Pierpoint, i.e., illegally.—
Nina Li Coomes,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
By then, her voice had worn ragged — lower in pitch, rougher in tone, better suited for more sophisticated songs.—
Robert Levine,
Billboard,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Two small feral-looking kids, ragged, both looked about seven years old, had been told off several times for knocking some of these flimsy chairs to one side as if to let the horse out.—
Ali Smith,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For many women, particularly those who have been mistreated and disrespected by the men in their lives, Paquita gave them a voice to dress down a man who deserved their righteous ire.—
Alex Zaragoza,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
What to Know Meghan dressed down for the selfie video in blue jeans and a black top which bore the names of her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
With that, Rambo decides to cross the border to rescue her and punish those responsible.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
-
However, this assistance can only be provided by accredited agents who are trained, tested, overseen and when appropriate, disciplined and punished by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That play included Kelce jawing at Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
-
After jawing with the Buccaneers defenders, Daniels converted that crucial third down in the final minute, setting up Washington’s 37-yard game-winning field goal to beat Tampa Bay, 23-20.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For Vance to lecture the Germans on how to govern themselves—the Germans, who rose from the traumas of Nazism to build a vibrant and enduring democracy—was inappropriate and bizarre.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Every purchase is scrutinized — last week, I was lectured for buying a name-brand cereal.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tell off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20off. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share