Synonyms for Scold and Reprimand: Understanding the Differences and Usage
"Scold" vs "Reprimand" (and More): What's the Right Word?
Learning English isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary — it’s also about getting a feel for how words are actually used.
Sometimes, two words seem like perfect synonyms… until you use one in the wrong situation and it suddenly sounds too formal, too strong, or just kind of weird. 😅
Take words like “scold” and “reprimand.”
They both mean telling someone they did something wrong — but they’re not always interchangeable.
One might sound like your mom is angry at you, while the other sounds like your boss in a serious meeting. And in casual conversations? Sometimes neither of them is quite right.
In this post, we’ll break down some of the most commonly used words that express the idea of telling someone off — like scold, reprimand, tell off, yell at, and more.
We’ll explain what they really mean, when (and where) to use them, and which ones feel natural in everyday speech vs. which ones feel more formal or intense.
By the end, you’ll be able to choose the right word for the right situation — whether you’re writing an email, talking to a friend, or just trying not to sound like a robot. 🤖💬
Let’s dive in! 🚀
What Does It Really Mean to Scold or Reprimand Someone?
When you scold or reprimand someone, you're basically telling them they did something wrong — maybe they made a mistake, broke a rule, or just acted badly.
But here’s the catch: while these two words are similar, they don’t feel the same when you actually use them.
Let’s break it down:
🔸 Scold
This word is more informal and often comes with some emotion — usually anger or frustration.
It’s commonly used when someone in a position of authority (like a parent, teacher, or older sibling) talks firmly to someone younger.
📌 Think: A mom saying, “Don’t talk to your sister like that!”
👉 It can feel a bit old-fashioned sometimes, but it’s still used — especially when talking about adults scolding children.
🔹 Reprimand
This one sounds a lot more serious and more formal.
It’s the kind of word you might hear in a workplace or official situation — like when a manager or authority figure is pointing out a mistake in a professional way.
📌 Think: A boss saying, “You’re being officially reprimanded for missing the deadline.”
👉 It’s not usually emotional — it’s more about rules and consequences.
⚡Quick Summary:
Word Tone Common Use Case Feels Like... Scold Informal, emotional Parents, teachers, or older people Angry or disappointed correction Reprimand Formal, serious Workplace, rules, official behavior Cold, professional warning
👀 Common Alternatives to “Scold” and “Reprimand” (And What They Really Mean)
So now that we’ve talked about scold and reprimand, let’s go deeper. There are plenty of other words that express disapproval — but each one has its own vibe. Some sound super serious, others are gentle, and some are just everyday slang.
Let’s check out the most common ones 👇
1. Admonish
🔹 What it means: To gently warn or criticize someone
🔹 Vibe: Kind of serious, but not harsh
🔹 Example: “She admonished him for being late, but she wasn’t angry.”
🔹 How it feels: Like a polite warning. More about guidance than punishment.
🔹 Where to use it: Formal conversations, writing, or polite correction.
✍️ Tip: You probably won’t hear this in casual chats — but it shows up in news articles or formal emails.
2. Rebuke 
🔹 What it means: To strongly express disapproval
🔹 Vibe: Firm and direct
🔹 Example: “The manager rebuked the employee for missing the deadline.”
🔹 How it feels: Sharper than admonish, but still professional.
🔹 Where to use it: Serious discussions, the workplace, or official statements.
✍️ Tip: Not used much in daily conversation — sounds formal or written.
3. Chastise
🔹 What it means: To harshly criticize or even punish
🔹 Vibe: Intense disapproval
🔹 Example: “He was chastised for being careless with the company’s money.”
🔹 How it feels: Stronger than scold; could even suggest a punishment
🔹 Where to use it: Formal writing, storytelling, or when you want a dramatic effect
✍️ Tip: Used in both formal and informal situations, but often sounds literary.
4. Lecture
🔹 What it means: To give a long, serious talk about someone’s behavior
🔹 Vibe: Annoying and moralistic
🔹 Example: “His mom lectured him about being responsible with money.”
🔹 How it feels: Less angry, more like an unwanted life lesson 😅
🔹 Where to use it: Common in casual speech, especially among family
🗣️ Tip: Often used negatively — like someone’s talking at you for too long.
5. Tell Off (Very Informal)
🔹 What it means: To speak to someone angrily about what they did wrong
🔹 Vibe: Straight-up annoyed or mad
🔹 Example: “She told him off for not texting back.”
🔹 How it feels: Strong, emotional, and informal
🔹 Where to use it: Casual spoken English — especially in British English
🗣️ Tip: Great for daily conversation. Sounds way more natural than “reprimand” with friends.
6. Reproach
🔹 What it means: To express disappointment (not necessarily anger)
🔹 Vibe: Gentle but sad
🔹 Example: “He reproached her for breaking the promise.”
🔹 How it feels: More about personal letdown than punishment
🔹 Where to use it: Often in writing or formal settings
✍️ Tip: Think of it as “I’m not mad, just disappointed.” 😞
🧠 Quick Recap Table
Word Tone Typical Use Emotional Feel Admonish Formal, soft Gentle correction, advice Calm, respectful Rebuke Formal, sharp Professional or serious mistake Firm, disapproving Chastise Strong Serious criticism or punishment Harsh, intense Lecture Informal Long, serious speech Tiring, annoying Tell Off Very informal Angry reaction to bad behavior Emotionally strong Reproach Formal Personal disappointment Sad, mild
| Word | Tone | Typical Use | Emotional Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admonish | Formal, soft | Gentle correction, advice | Calm, respectful |
| Rebuke | Formal, sharp | Professional or serious mistake | Firm, disapproving |
| Chastise | Strong | Serious criticism or punishment | Harsh, intense |
| Lecture | Informal | Long, serious speech | Tiring, annoying |
| Tell Off | Very informal | Angry reaction to bad behavior | Emotionally strong |
| Reproach | Formal | Personal disappointment | Sad, mild |
🗣️ Which Expression Is Most Common in Everyday English?
Out of all the words we’ve covered — scold, reprimand, admonish, etc. — the one you’ll hear most often in casual conversation is definitely:
👉 Tell off
It’s short, emotional, and super common in spoken English — especially in the UK.
🗯️ “I got told off for not doing my homework.”
This sentence feels natural and real, like something a friend might say.
Compare that to:
-
“I was reprimanded for not doing my homework.” → 😐 sounds like a line from an HR email.
So, if you're chatting with friends or describing a personal situation, “tell off” is usually your best bet.
It’s more relaxed, but still clearly shows someone was angry or annoyed.
How to Choose the Right Word?
The trick to choosing the best word isn’t just about vocabulary — it’s about tone, context, and intensity.
Here’s a simple guide to help you out:
| Context | Go with... | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 🔹 Casual talk, light scolding | Tell off, Lecture | Sounds natural in daily speech, fits parent/kid or friend scenarios |
| 🔸 Formal situations, stronger tone | Reprimand, Rebuke, Chastise | Great for workplaces, official settings, or serious rule-breaking |
| 🟡 Giving gentle advice | Admonish | Sounds softer — like a polite warning or suggestion |
| ⚪ Personal hurt/disappointment | Reproach | Not about anger — more about emotional letdown |
🧩 Let’s See the Differences in Real Sentences
💢 Scold
“The teacher scolded the student for talking during class.”
➡️ Emotional and a little old-school. Often used with kids.
🧑💼 Reprimand
“The employee was reprimanded for breaking company policy.”
➡️ Serious and professional. Sounds like a warning in a business setting.
⚠️ Admonish
“She admonished her friend to be more careful with money.”
➡️ Soft and thoughtful. More advice than anger.
📣 Rebuke
“The politician was publicly rebuked for his controversial remarks.”
➡️ Strong public criticism. Often used in media or official contexts.
😖 Chastise
“He chastised himself for making such a silly mistake.”
➡️ Can be harsh — but interestingly, we often use it when we're beating ourselves up mentally.
🗯️ Lecture
“His dad lectured him for hours about being responsible.”
➡️ Long and boring. More frustrating than aggressive.
😤 Tell Off
“She told him off for arriving late.”
➡️ Fast, emotional, and super common in casual speech.
😞 Reproach
“He reproached his sister for not supporting him.”
➡️ Quiet disappointment. More about feelings than punishment.
❌ Common Mistakes
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Using “reprimand” in casual conversations
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❌ “My mom reprimanded me for staying out late.”
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✅ “My mom told me off for staying out late.”
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💡 “Reprimand” sounds too formal for a family setting.
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Confusing “scold” with “lecture”
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❌ “He scolded me for an hour.”
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✅ “He lectured me for an hour.”
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💡 “Scold” is usually quick. “Lecture” is long and repetitive.
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Using “rebuke” in casual speech
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❌ “My friend rebuked me for forgetting his birthday.”
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✅ “My friend told me off for forgetting his birthday.”
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Using “chastise” for light criticism
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❌ “She chastised him for not texting back.”
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✅ “She told him off / scolded him for not texting back.”
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💡 “Chastise” is a stronger word — save it for serious situations.
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Misplacing the object
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❌ “She told off to him.”
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✅ “She told him off.”
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Using “reproach” like “scold”
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❌ “The teacher reproached the student loudly.”
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✅ “The teacher scolded the student loudly.”
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💡 “Reproach” is more emotional and subtle — not loud or angry.
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Using “lecture” as a noun when a verb is needed
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❌ “He gave me a lecture me for being late.”
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✅ “He lectured me for being late.”
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Saying “admonish” too casually
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❌ “I admonished my roommate for stealing my fries.”
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✅ “I told off my roommate / gave my roommate a lecture.”
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Saying “he told off me”
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❌ “He told off me.”
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✅ “He told me off.”
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Using “reprimand” passively in informal writing
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❌ “I was reprimanded for not doing the dishes.”
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✅ “My mom told me off for not doing the dishes.”
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🧠 Quiz – Test Your Understanding!
Choose the best word or phrase to complete the sentence:
-
My manager __________ me for missing the meeting.
a) told off
b) rebuked
c) reproached
✅ Answer: b) rebuked -
When I forgot her birthday, she really __________ me.
a) chastised
b) lectured
c) reprimanded
✅ Answer: a) chastised -
Parents often __________ their kids for not doing homework.
a) scold
b) admonish
c) rebuke
✅ Answer: a) scold -
He __________ himself for not studying harder.
a) told off
b) scolded
c) chastised
✅ Answer: c) chastised -
She __________ him to be more careful with his spending.
a) rebuked
b) admonished
c) scolded
✅ Answer: b) admonished -
I __________ my little brother for taking my phone.
a) told off
b) reproached
c) reprimanded
✅ Answer: a) told off -
His mom __________ him for being irresponsible — it went on for an hour!
a) chastised
b) scolded
c) lectured
✅ Answer: c) lectured -
The coach __________ the players after their poor performance.
a) reproached
b) rebuked
c) admonished
✅ Answer: b) rebuked -
I __________ him for not texting me back — I wasn’t angry, just disappointed.
a) told off
b) reproached
c) chastised
✅ Answer: b) reproached -
She __________ the intern privately instead of in front of the team.
a) scolded
b) told off
c) reprimanded
✅ Answer: c) reprimanded
❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the difference between “scold” and “lecture”?
👉 “Scold” is usually short and emotional. “Lecture” is longer and more about giving advice or life lessons. -
Is “tell off” rude?
👉 It depends on the tone and context. It’s informal but commonly used. It’s not rude, just direct. -
Can I use “reprimand” at home?
👉 Technically yes, but it sounds formal. “Scold” or “tell off” is more natural in casual settings. -
Which word should I use at work?
👉 Use “reprimand” or “rebuke” for formal workplace situations. -
Is “rebuke” stronger than “admonish”?
👉 Yes. “Rebuke” is sharper and more serious. “Admonish” is gentle and more like advice. -
Is “chastise” old-fashioned?
👉 Not at all! It’s still used, especially in writing or for dramatic emphasis. -
Can I say “he scolded me” in a business setting?
👉 You could, but “reprimanded” or “rebuked” would sound more professional. -
What’s the best word for a disappointed tone, not angry?
👉 Use “reproach.” It shows you’re let down, not necessarily mad. -
Can “lecture” be positive?
👉 Not usually. It often feels negative, like someone is going on and on at you. -
What’s the most casual way to say someone got in trouble?
👉 “Got told off” is the most natural and casual phrase for everyday use.
Conclusion
Getting a feel for the small differences between words like “scold” and “reprimand” can really level up how you express yourself in English. Some words sound super formal — perfect for the office or serious situations — while others are more casual and better for everyday conversations.
If you want to sound more natural and fluent, try practicing these words in your own sentences. You could even make up short conversations or role-play situations where someone gets told off (nicely or not-so-nicely 😅). The more you use them, the easier it’ll be to pick the right one without even thinking.
