CHIDE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'chide' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chide are admonish , rebuke , reprimand , reproach , and reprove . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

Q: When might 'admonish' be a better fit than 'chide'?

Although the words admonish and chide have much in common, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: When can 'rebuke' be used instead of 'chide'?

While the synonyms rebuke and chide are close in meaning, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: In what contexts can 'reprimand' take the place of 'chide'?

While in some cases nearly identical to chide , reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: When could 'reprove' be used to replace 'chide'?

The meanings of reprove and chide largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

chide

verb

ˈchīd

Definition of chide

as in to admonish

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my wife chided me for forgetting to offer our guests some refreshments

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb chide contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chide are admonish, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

When might admonish be a better fit than chide?

Although the words admonish and chide have much in common, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When can rebuke be used instead of chide?

While the synonyms rebuke and chide are close in meaning, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

In what contexts can reprimand take the place of chide?

While in some cases nearly identical to chide, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

When could reprove be used to replace chide?

The meanings of reprove and chide largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

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 chide Some friends chided me (which is fine) for posing with a liberal Zionist. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 Salazar, a fierce interrogator, chided him about leaving Rodríguez in charge. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 The back-and-forth prompted Steiner to send a letter denying Hawley’s claims and chiding him for a lack of civility. — Jack Harvel july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 Trump has previously expressed chided his own appointees for some of their rulings. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for chide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide

Verb

Santa hurries away to save Christmas after admonishing Jack for not listening to Sally.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Oct. 2026
Police Chief Bret Cottrell wrote a letter that same day to the sergeant admonishing his actions, according to the suit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

Others criticized Anderson for seemingly scolding fans and trying to tell them where to sit.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Now the older generation is scolding workers for having a different view on interview etiquette without recognizing the cold reality of today’s job market.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

She was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her stunt with the bullhorn.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
My mother reprimanded me for taking a sip from a cocktail glass without first removing the little plastic swizzle stick that often comes in a drink.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

But the Amazon and Blue Origin founder argues that some politicians are blaming the wrong culprit.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Jason Jimenez said the county coroner’s death report found the cause of death to be cocaine toxicity and did not place blame on the officers.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Browse Nearby Words

chid

chide

chides

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chide. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of chide

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes