chide

verb

chid ˈchid How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided ˈchī-dəd How to pronounce chide (audio) ; chid or chidden ˈchi-dᵊn How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided; chiding ˈchī-diŋ How to pronounce chide (audio)

intransitive verb

: to speak out in angry or displeased rebuke
is quick to chide against the mayor for his negligence

transitive verb

: to voice disapproval to : reproach in a usually mild and constructive manner : scold
She chided us for arriving late.
Choose the Right Synonym for chide

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely.

reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

Examples of chide in a Sentence

She chided us for arriving late. “You really should have been here on time,” she chided.
Recent Examples on the Web Whitmer chided Trump for the attack on social media. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 Trump has spent years chiding NATO members for failing to meet the 2% spending target. Anna Cooban, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024 Trump trial 'not a political rally': judge Trump’s two civil cases featured judges chiding the former president for speaking out of turn or digressing in his responses, while Trump bridles against restrictions. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 At a court hearing Monday, a federal judge expressed deep frustration with both sides, chiding them for bogging down the discovery process with tit-for-tat disputes over documents. Marshall Cohen, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024 Nikki Haley vowed to stay in the Republican presidential primary race at least through Super Tuesday while chiding a tabled plan by the Republican National Committee that called for the party to coalesce around Donald Trump. Christian Hall, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2024 Critics chided Las Vegas police for being sloppy and slow, questioning everything from their racial sensitivity to their efforts to preserve the crime scene. John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2024 There were also some attention-getting gasps, like when Jay-Z chided the Recording Academy (i.e., the body responsible for putting on the Grammys). Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024 Some Democrats are pressing the administration to do more, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has chided Washington for lacking urgency on the issue. Mary Bruce, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cīdan to quarrel, chide, from cīd strife

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of chide was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near chide

Cite this Entry

“Chide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chide

verb
chid ˈchid How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided ˈchīd-əd How to pronounce chide (audio) ; chid or chidden ˈchid-ᵊn How to pronounce chide (audio) or chided; chiding ˈchīd-iŋ How to pronounce chide (audio)
: to express mild disapproval of

More from Merriam-Webster on chide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!