CHIDE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

chide

verb

ˈchīd

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 This half of the set ends with Waters chiding the security at the venue, telling them to sit down and enjoy the show when the band returns. —

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025 And now, with escalating talk of expanding military action to include regime change in Caracas, Americans are rightly concerned, with Republicans now chiding Trump for ignoring kitchen-table issues at home in favor of chasing overseas victories. —

Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025 When Marissa is first interviewed by the police, she’s lightly chided by her otherwise respectful husband for not checking a parent’s phone number against the school registry. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025 Maybe that’s a delicate dance even for Drinkwitz, who invoked the Alabama game several times but semi-playfully chided the media for relevant questions about the stuff that plainly needs to be shored up. —

Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chide

Verb

During the meeting, Mayor Jim Jarratt repeatedly admonished speakers to stay on the topic of annexation.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2026
On Tuesday, Judge Gregory Stuart Parker, the Taylor County circuit judge appointed to oversee the disciplinary case, recommended that Uhlfelder be admonished and required him to complete an ethics class.

— Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026