LESSON 12 : You Should Not Have Done That!

LESSON 12: You Should Not Have Done That! Words Relating to Criticizing, Disapproving, or Scolding

Berate • Her mother came out and berated me for raising my voice. • The customer berated the waiter for bringing him cold soup. • Joe deserved the berating his coach gave him after he failed to hustle after the fly ball. • Verb • To rebuke or scold in a harsh tone

Carp • My mother constantly carps at me for my messy room. • If you work hard on your homework, your teacher won’t carp at you for your lack of effort. • Bobby wouldn’t stop carping abouthis sister’s poor driving. • Verb • To find fault; to be critical

Castigate • My father castigated me for not setting a better example for my little sister. • Bonnie was castigated for her insensitive remarks. • The media severely castigated the manager for his on-field decisions. • Verb • To scold or punish severely

Censure • Congresscensured the Representative for his ethical violations. • Tommy’s family strongly censured him for his decision to get a tattoo. • The judge was harshly censured for his poor conduct at the trial. • Verb • To criticize strongly

Chastise • The executive chastised his colleagues for their laziness. • The President chastised Congress for their failure to pass the important bill. • My teachers would often chastise me for speaking in class. • Verb • To punish or scold harshly

Deprecate • The comedian’s humor was very self-deprecating; he often made jokes at his own expense. • The other team made deprecating comments from the bench while we were at bat. • The college professor deprecated the author’s new book. • Verb • To show mild disapproval

Deride • Movie critics derided the new film as a poor effort from a once-great director. • The politician’s speech was met with derision from his opponent. • The officials derided the proposal as a clumsy attempt to find a solution. • Verb • To ridicule or make fun of; to scoff at

Impugn • The official impugned several of the claims made in the newspaper article. • The drill sergeant impugned the recruits’ ability to complete the obstacle course. • The governor’s opponents often impugn his abilities as a leader. • Verb • To oppose or attack someone or something as false

Rebuff • My uncle rebuffed my offer to repay him for his help. • Maya quickly rebuffs any attempt to win her friendship. • My teacher rebuffed my attempts to hand my work in late; she refused to accept anything after it was due. • Verb • To snub; to bluntly refuse

Rebuke • Brian’s girlfriend rebuked him for not paying enough attention to her. • The judge rebuked the prosecutor for refusing to obey her rulings. • The mother rebuked her child for talking to strangers. • Verb • To reprimand or scold sharply

Reprove • The mother would reprove her children whenever they spoke out of turn. • “Don’t be so childish,” reproved his father. • I glanced reprovingly at my brother for refusing to help with the chores. Verb • To speak to in a disapproving manner; to scold

Upbraid • Janet was upbraided for her slovenly appearance. • The president upbraided the general for refusing to follow his orders. • My roommate upbraided me again for missing our rent payment. Verb • To chide; to scold bitterly

LESSON 12 : You Should Not Have Done That!