RAGGING Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

ragging

verb

present participle of rag

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings several readers called in to rag the editor for his paper's repeated grammatical lapses

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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 ragging In November, Green spoke to PEOPLE at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville, and shared a similar story about his friends ragging on him for being crowned Sexiest Country Star Alive. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragging

Verb

Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Do not punish your dog by scolding or yelling at them, as this may make your dog's behavior worse out of fear or stress.

— Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon criticized Spain for lecturing Israel on security while struggling to control its own border.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Fauci stepped down from his NIAID post at the end of 2022 and segued to a lecturing job at Georgetown.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026

Definition of lecturing

Verb

Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Earlier this week, Scott Agness claimed his press credentials were revoked by the team after his reporting led to the WNBA reprimanding the Fever for not being transparent about Clark’s health status during a game on May 20.

— Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Definition of reprimanding

Verb

But surprisingly, that anger has metastasized into actual antisemitism — not merely opposition to Israel’s government, but blaming Jewish Americans and contributing to antisemitic incidents, with physical assaults reaching record levels.

— Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Last week, Ellison attempted a high-profile reputation reboot, extolling his love for movies and blaming politics for opposition to the deal.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

Restrictions have extended outside the classroom, with some teachers being fired or punished for criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
In 2022, Cunningham shared a message criticizing the participation of Lia Thomas in women’s college swimming and said athletes should have the opportunity to compete fairly.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

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raggedy

ragging

ragging on

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“Ragging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragging. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ragging

verb

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