upbraids

verb

present tense third-person singular of upbraid
as in scolds
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

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 upbraids There’s a moment when a former general upbraids a footman for not wearing gloves to serve food. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upbraids
  1. scolds
  2. reprimands
  3. lectures
  4. criticizes
Verb
  • Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolds
Verb
  • The emperor reprimands her for being late for the rainmaking ritual.
    — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026
  • His supervisor appears as a ticket conductor and reprimands him for doing nothing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of reprimands
Verb
  • Those experiences deepen understanding in ways that lectures and memorization alone rarely can.
    — Lisa Schade, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Khimasia is an independent curator who currently lectures at Rutgers University.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026
Definition of lectures
Verb
  • Beatty’s filing also criticizes the tarps that have covered the venue’s front portico for more than two months.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Lebanese leader criticizes Israel Saturday’s strikes are the deadliest since the truce went into effect two months ago.
    — Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticizes

Browse Nearby Words

upbraiding
upbraids
upbringing
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Cite this Entry

“Upbraids.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upbraids. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of upbraids for Spanish Speakers

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