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

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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 Iyanla Vanzant, the program’s host, chided Holmes for squandering much of her fortune, buying properties and paying allowances to hangers-on. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026 Betty chides her husband in the way couples married 63 years can. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026 Hokit, who has a history of making tasteless comments after his fights, including the same Obama jab, drew mixed reaction from the UFC Freedom 250 crowd — and also from social media users, with some repeating the false claim in the comments on Hokit’s Instagram page and others chiding it. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 Others chided Pattie Gonia for leveling the accusation against Patagonia, a company considered by many as a leader in sustainability, without painting a full picture of the case. — Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for chide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide

Verb

Davis was much more somber, and his attorney, Wayne Higgins, is heard frequently admonishing his client for volunteering unnecessary information.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Some speakers admonished the county commission for shooting down the moratorium proposal.

— Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
That war ended in a humiliating defeat by an enemy regarded as much weaker, and many tsarist officials blamed the outcome on Japanese spies and saboteurs.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blame

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chid

chide

chides

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“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chide. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of chide

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