Words That Mean Criticize
The distinctions are about severity and setting: to chide is gentle, to censure is formal and public, to castigate is to punish with words.
21 words
- Admonishverb
admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior
- Belittleverb
lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of
- Berateverb
censure severely or angrily
- Castigateverb
inflict severe punishment on
- Censurenoun
the state of being excommunicated
- Chastiseverb
censure severely
- Chideverb
censure severely or angrily
- Decryverb
express strong disapproval of
- Denounceverb
to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
- Deprecateverb
express strong disapproval of; deplore
- Disparageverb
express a negative opinion of
- Lambasteverb
censure severely or angrily
- Malignadjective
having or exerting a malignant influence
- Rebukenoun
an act or expression of criticism and censure
- Remonstrateverb
present and urge reasons in opposition
- Reproachnoun
a mild rebuke or criticism
- Reproveverb
take to task
- Traduceverb
speak unfavorably about
- Upbraidverb
express criticism towards
- Vilifyverb
spread negative information about
- Vituperateverb
spread negative information about
Study these against
A word’s meaning sharpens against its opposite. These sets are the ones worth holding beside criticize.