Synonyms: 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
Similar words: criticise, criticize, pick apart, knock
Definition: find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
Usage: The paper criticized the new movie; Don't knock the food--it's free
Synonyms: lambast, lambaste, cane, flog
Definition: beat with a cane
Similar words: work over, beat, beat up
Definition: give a beating to; subject to a beating, either as a punishment or as an act of aggression
Usage: Thugs beat him up when he walked down the street late at night; The teacher used to beat the students