"scolding" in the noun sense

1. chiding, scolding, objurgation, tongue-lashing

rebuking a person harshly

"scolding" in the verb sense

1. call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast

censure severely or angrily

"The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"

"The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"

"The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup"

2. grouch, grumble, scold

show one's unhappiness or critical attitude

"He scolded about anything that he thought was wrong"

"We grumbled about the increased work load"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

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