Synonyms of keelhaul

keelhaul

verb

ˈkēl-ˌhȯl 

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

there's no need to keelhaul him—it was an honest mistake, and a small one at that

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• reprimand
• lecture
• blame
• criticize
• rail (at or against)
• chew out
• chastise
• call down
• rag
• ream (out)
• berate
• bawl out
• dress down
• flay
• jaw
• upbraid
• admonish
• rant (at)
• rebuke
• attack
• lay into
• read the riot act (to)
• mock
• hammer
• castigate
• lambaste
• reproach
• fault
• take to task
• rate
• score
• tongue-lash
• baste
• chide
• knock
• crucify
• lash
• condemn
• remonstrate (with)
• slam
• harangue
• assail
• revile
• denounce
• excoriate
• scourge
• reprehend
• vituperate
• pan
• censure
• blast
• abuse
• lace (into)
• reprove
• ridicule
• disparage
• scorn
• bad-mouth
• scoff
• dis
• belittle
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• sanction
• endorse
• praise
• extol
• laud

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of keelhaul

And other than a recession, which generally keelhauls buyback plans, don’t expect companies to ease off their repurchases. — Larry Light, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2019

To hell with a class action suit, these people should have been keelhauled under the Staten Island Ferry for a year. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 25 Oct. 2017

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