upbraid

verb

ˌəp-ˈbrād How to pronounce upbraid (audio)
Definition of upbraidnext
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings his wife upbraided him for his irresponsible handling of the family finances

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb upbraid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of upbraid are berate, rail, revile, scold, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When might berate be a better fit than upbraid?

Although the words berate and upbraid have much in common, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When would rail be a good substitute for upbraid?

The words rail and upbraid can be used in similar contexts, but rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

Where would revile be a reasonable alternative to upbraid?

The synonyms revile and upbraid are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is it sensible to use scold instead of upbraid?

While in some cases nearly identical to upbraid, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can vituperate be used instead of upbraid?

The words vituperate and upbraid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

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 upbraid Mother Mary shivers in the middle of the barn with her head slung low while Sam upbraids the pop star for leaving her behind for other, whiter designers when her career went supernova. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026 The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026 At a hearing two days after the government dropped its charges against Baraka, the judge upbraided Stephen Demanovich, a federal prosecutor who had been assigned the case. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026 In a blistering memo circulated around the agency before he was laid off in late summer, Frantz upbraided political leaders. — Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 17 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upbraid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upbraid
  1. scold
  2. reprimand
  3. lecture
  4. criticize
Verb
  • By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • District of Columbia Judge Ana Reyes angrily scolded government attorneys in a hearing to block the government from cutting down more trees at East Potomac Golf Course.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • The Denver school board censured director Monica Hunter on Thursday night, the third time in five years that the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district has publicly reprimanded a colleague.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • She was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her stunt with the bullhorn.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Earhart lectured at the school before embarking on her final flight.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Driving around the region to lecture and guide tours, his travel costs have soared and led him to raise his prices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • Opponents have criticized using a countywide sales tax to help finance improvements at Marshall.
    — Haley Parsley October 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • China criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him of disregarding facts and misleading the public.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticize

Browse Nearby Words

upbeat
upbraid
upbraided
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upbraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upbraid. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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