Synonyms: correct, objurgate, chasten, chastise, castigate
Definition: censure severely
Usage: She chastised him for his insensitive remarks
Similar words: call down, call on the carpet, chew out, chew up, chide, remonstrate, reprimand, reproof, rag, rebuke, scold, dress down, take to task, trounce, have words, lambast, lambaste, lecture, jaw, berate, bawl out
Definition: censure severely or angrily
Usage: The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car; The deputy ragged the Prime Minister; The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
Synonyms: castigate
Definition: inflict severe punishment on
Similar words: penalise, penalize, punish
Definition: impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on
Usage: The students were penalized for showing up late for class; we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again