upbraid

[ uhp-breyd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to find fault with or reproach severely; censure:

   The military tribunal upbraided the soldier for his cowardice.

   Synonyms: blame, reprove

2. (of things) to bring reproach on; serve as a reproach to.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to utter reproaches.

upbraid

/ ʌpˈbreɪd /

verb

1. to reprove or reproach angrily
2. to find fault with

Derived Forms

• upˈbraiding, noun
• upˈbraidingly, adverb
• upˈbraider, noun

Other Words From

• up·braider noun
• unup·braided adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of upbraid¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English upbrēdan to adduce as a fault. See up-, braid

Word History and Origins

Origin of upbraid¹

Old English upbregdan; related to Danish bebreide; see up , braid

Synonym Study

See reprimand.

Example Sentences

Even as the ex-president got a bond reduced in New York, Judge Juan M. Merchan set a trial date in the hush money case, upbraided the defense and imposed a gag order.

From Los Angeles Times

In a tense phone call on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III upbraided his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, over Israel’s deadly attack on a humanitarian food convoy in Gaza earlier this week.

From New York Times

That sort of upbraiding from a judge before trial has even begun should chill any trial lawyer to the bone.

From Los Angeles Times

The incidents in Jenin are not the first time Israeli soldiers have been upbraided for bad behaviour filmed and posted on social media recently.

From BBC

Decades later, he upbraided player auctions in the Indian Premier League, saying that he "just did not like players being treated like horses being sold to the highest bidder".

From BBC

Related Words

• admonish
• berate
• castigate
• chastise
• chide
• reprimand
• reproach