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

Ladapo’s ideological and ignorant pronouncements against the vaccines prompted the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to upbraid him jointly, in a letter notifying him that his claims are “incorrect, misleading and could be harmful to the American public” and warning that his activity “puts people at risk of death or serious illness that could have been prevented by timely vaccination.”

From Los Angeles Times

I am rarely truly surprised when it comes to television, but my jaw literally dropped when Ro Laren, played by Michelle Forbes, appeared as one of the Federation officers sent to upbraid Jean-Luc and Riker for their antics.

From New York Times

Finally, Hoover summoned the California delegation to his hotel room to upbraid them crisply for their “outrageous, scandalous” demand.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump threatened Mexico with trade tariffs if it did not stem migrant flows, but he did little to upbraid Lopez Obrador over energy policies that U.S. firms say are unfair.

From Reuters

In Berlin on Tuesday night, Mr. Scholz grimaced when Mr. Abbas made his remarks, according to local media reports from the scene, but did not immediately upbraid or contradict the Palestinian leader and the news conference was brought to a swift end.

From New York Times

Related Words

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