chewing out 1 of 2

noun

as in rebuke

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chewing out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chew out
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings the coach chews out even the stars of the team if they fail to show up for practice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chewing out
Verb
The episode ends with Kyle’s mom chewing out Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his actions in the ongoing war. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chewing out
  1. rebuke
  2. scolding
  3. attack
  4. lecturing
  5. reprimand
  6. calling down
  7. criticism
  8. reprimanding
Noun
  • The threats against the filmmakers have drawn a rebuke from the International Documentary Association, for which Costa used to serve as co-president of the board.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The unusual diplomatic rebuke underscored the mistrust between the two countries.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebuke
Verb
  • The Amazon Prime Video broadcasters all considered the male Fever fan guilty before details of what actually happened came out, scolding him on air for his behavior.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Eventually, all charges were dropped days before trial, with Perry scolding prosecutors for violating the inherent trust placed in the office.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of scolding
Noun
  • In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • An inmate died in an apparent homicide Tuesday morning after an attack by another prisoner at California State Prison, Sacramento, state corrections officials said.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • For decades, Zinn traveled the country lecturing to packed auditoriums.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The bald guy lecturing me on how to get the money looked real enough, but the question of his true being kept rattling around my increasingly paranoid mind.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of lecturing
Noun
  • While Young never received a formal reprimand, he was made aware of the Congress’s frustration and others in the corps were advised not to follow his lead, per NASA.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Fisher’s attorney also requested an injunction to temporarily prevent Nowlin from sending the reprimand to the Texas Board of Law Examiners, the entity that would decide if Fisher became an attorney in the state.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • This year, the irrigators began calling down water on July 1, boosting flows in the Colorado River.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
Definition of calling down
Noun
  • Carlson has faced criticism for interviewing Holocaust revisionist Darryl Cooper in 2024 and white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who has repeatedly denied the Holocaust, made antisemitic comments, and praised Adolf Hitler.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The statement came only after Thomas called out the commissioner, intensifying criticism that the league had been reactive throughout the controversy.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticism
Verb
  • Instead of reprimanding his pet, Linnetz seems to recognize the moment as a potentially good shot.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimanding

Browse Nearby Words

chewing on
chewing out
chewing over
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chewing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chewing%20out. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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